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Because of the simple geographical dynamics of the state of California,

the state has a very rich moss flora with over 600 species

(as documented by James Shevock,

and at least, 65 genera

comprised of some 257 species have been included in Volume 27, Flora of North

America. Of these many genera of mosses that have been listed by

eFloras.org four genera, Grimmia, Didymodon, Tortula, and Sphagnum

comprise 30% fo the listed moss flora for the state, with one

family of mosses, the Pottiaceae (into which Didymodon and Tortula

are classified), has some 33% of the species found within the listed

flora.

While the northern part of the state is rich in the number of

prominent mosses, the southern part of the state has a diversity of

species occupying microniches and include weed species that can

make their home in the most unexpected of places. One such species is

Bryum argenteum.