About

Ulota is a genus of mosses comprising 69 species with a worldwide distribution, though most species are found in the southern hemisphere.

They have commonly been grouped within the genus Orthotrichum, though recently they have been placed in their own genus. Their phylogeny and taxonomy have been an area of debate ever since they were placed in their own genus, though it has been largely accepted to place Ulota as a genus of their own. They can be found growing on trees close to the coast, though some species are also found on rocks. Their shoots form small tufts to large mats across habitats, often intertwined with other mosses, including Orthotrichum species.

Where it grows

Ulota species occur typically in temperate climates, growing as an epiphyte on tree trunks. Some species have also been known to extend into the tropics and subarctic environments. Multiple species can grow together in a habitat, often intertwined with each other. The genus is typically found in temperate, humid, oceanic coasts, though some species are also found in montane environments in the tropics and subtropics. Their habitat is found to be heavily determined by the available substrate, but also on the dispersal ability of the species and the dispersal obstacles that are present. The species which tend to be correlated with the presence of Ulota species include: Salix caprea, Populus tremula, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, and Acer pseudoplatanus. They can also be found growing on rocks, though this is reportedly less common. Two species, U. crispa and U. bruchii, tend to be found together, though U. crispa tends to be more common along the coast.

Uses

Ulota crispa and U. megalospora have both been found to be intolerant of high levels of sulfur dioxide, which may indicate both species' use as an air quality indicator.

Other Ulota plants

Ulota barclayi · Ulota moss · Ulota moss · Ulota yakushimensis