Aulacomnium is a small genus of mosses belonging to the family Aulacomniaceae, within the order Aulacomniales, class Bryopsida (true mosses), phylum Bryophyta. The genus has a circumpolar distribution, occurring across boreal, arctic, and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Among its best-known members are Aulacomnium palustre, a widespread bog moss of wet, acidic habitats such as fens, mires, and tundra, and Aulacomnium androgynum, which favours rotting logs, stumps, and shaded woodland soils. The genus is characterised by its placement in the monogeneric family Aulacomniaceae, reflecting its distinctive morphology among pleurocarpous and acrocarpous mosses.
Distribution
Aulacomnium has a circumpolar distribution, occurring across arctic, boreal, and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Species such as A. palustre are particularly associated with wet, acidic peatlands, bogs, and tundra habitats.
Taxonomy Notes
Aulacomnium is the sole genus in the family Aulacomniaceae, placed in the order Aulacomniales within the class Bryopsida (true mosses). GBIF currently recognises 2 accepted species in the genus.
