Bryoandersonia illecebra
(Hedw.) Robins.
Spoonleaf Moss
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.126008
Element CodeNBMUS15010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryNonvascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumBryophyta
ClassBryopsida
OrderHypnales
FamilyBrachytheciaceae
GenusBryoandersonia
Synonyms
Cirriphyllum boscii(Schwaegr.) Grout
Other Common Names
Andersonie charmante (FR) bryoandersonia moss (EN)
Concept Reference
Anderson, L.E., H.A. Crum, and W.R. Buck. 1990. List of the mosses of North America north of Mexico. The Bryologist 93(4):448-499.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-01
Change Date1991-04-18
Edition Date2025-04-01
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Bryoandersonia illecebra is a moss occurring in forests, on landslides, meadows, and lawns of North America from Ontario and Vermont south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Iowa and Michigan in the United States and Canada. There are over 300 estimated occurrences of this species, which are threatened by commercial and agricultural development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, pollution, and forest succession. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and high number of occurrences, Bryoandersonia illecebra is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Bryoandersonia illecebra occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario and Vermont south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Iowa and Michigan in the United States and Canada (FNA 2014). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records herbarium specimens and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be over 300 occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Threats to Bryoandersonia illecebra across its range include commercial and agricultural development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, pollution, and succession (COSEWIC 2017). Climate change may increase the potential habitat for this species in Canada.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Bryoandersonia illecebra occurs on "soil in forest, on landslides, among moderately dense grasses in meadows and lawns, rock, [and] tree bases" (FNA 2014).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandGrassland/herbaceousBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN2
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | S2 | Yes |
United StatesN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | S4 | Yes |
| District of Columbia | SNR | Yes |
| Rhode Island | SNR | Yes |
| Louisiana | SNR | Yes |
| South Carolina | SNR | Yes |
| Connecticut | SNR | Yes |
| West Virginia | SNR | Yes |
| North Carolina | SNR | Yes |
| Oklahoma | SNR | Yes |
| Tennessee | S3 | Yes |
| Florida | SNR | Yes |
| Georgia | SNR | Yes |
| Michigan | SNR | Yes |
| Kentucky | SNR | Yes |
| Texas | SNR | Yes |
| Kansas | SNR | Yes |
| Indiana | SNR | Yes |
| Arkansas | SNR | Yes |
| Maryland | SNR | Yes |
| Alabama | SNR | Yes |
| Missouri | SNR | Yes |
| Virginia | SNR | Yes |
| Ohio | SNR | Yes |
| New Jersey | SNR | Yes |
| Mississippi | SNR | Yes |
| Massachusetts | SNR | Yes |
| New York | SNR | Yes |
| Illinois | SNR | Yes |
| Vermont | S1 | Yes |
| Iowa | SNR | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | S5 | Yes |
Threat Assessments
| Threat | Scope | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Residential & commercial development | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1.2 - Commercial & industrial areas | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 - Agriculture & aquaculture | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 - Transportation & service corridors | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4.1 - Roads & railroads | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4.2 - Utility & service lines | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 - Pollution | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (15)
Arkansas (5)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Mountain | Ouachita National Forest | 1,910 |
| Blue Mountain | Ouachita National Forest | 9,755 |
| Clifty Canyon | Ozark-St. Francis National Forest | 1,963 |
| Gee Creek | Ozark-St. Francis National Forest | 7,957 |
| Pedestal Rocks | Ozark-St. Francis National Forest | 21,957 |
Georgia (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Creek | Chattahoochee National Forest | 9,025 |
| Tate Branch | Chattahoochee National Forest | 1,069 |
Illinois (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Burden Falls | Shawnee National Forest | 485 |
Kentucky (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfpen | Daniel Boone National Forest | 2,835 |
Nevada (2)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Rose - Evans | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | 4,782 |
| Rose - Whites Canyon | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | 2,568 |
North Carolina (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Cheoah Bald | Nantahala National Forest | 7,795 |
Tennessee (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Slide Hollow | Cherokee National Forest | 4,057 |
Virginia (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Massanutten | George Washington National Forest | 9,444 |
West Virginia (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Mcgowan Mountain | Monongahela National Forest | 10,504 |
References (7)
- Anderson, L.E., H.A. Crum, and W.R. Buck. 1990. List of the mosses of North America north of Mexico. The Bryologist 93(4):448-499.
- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2017. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Spoon-leaved Moss <i>Bryoandersonia illecebra</i> in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa. xi + 40 pp.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2014a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 28. Bryophytes: Mosses, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. vii + 702 pp.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
- NatureServe. 2025. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
- NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2024. Version: 1.1.1 (released Oct 01, 2024).
- Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).