Ulota obtusiuscula

The genus Ulota is closely related to the genus Orthotrichum, where U. obtusiuscula was formerly placed. This species belongs in the Ulota group of U. crispa, U. curvifolia, U. hutchinsiae, and U. barclayi with a double peristome and the reflexed exostome teeth. Plants of U. obtusiuscula have strongly twisted leaves and forms robust large cushions. (Vitt, 2003)

Ulota obtusiuscula is endemic to western North America but appears common in suitable habitat in its range.

Ulota obtusiuscula is endemic restricted to western North America with a distribution from northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia to southern Alaska. It also occurs inland in western Washington and is disjunct in southeastern British Columbia. (Vitt, D.H. 2003).

Epiphytic bryophytes, such as Ulota obtusiuscula, are susceptible to air pollution, as well as other environmental changes affecting moisture conditions, such as the opening of forest canopies. As this species is a corticolous bryophyte, dependent on bark substrates, removal of host trees as well as coarse woody debris in forests may impact populations.Ulota obtusiuscula may be closely associated with late successional and old-growth forests as is found in the Tsitika Valley (Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone) in British Columbia, Canada (Western Canada Wilderness Committee 1991).