page_title: Hypnodendron comosum
section_title: Geographical distribution
hierarchical_section_title: Hypnodendron comosum / Geographical distribution
caption_attribution_description: English: Distribution of both varieties of Hypnodendron comosum. H. c. va. comosum and H. c. va. sieberi
context_page_description: Hypnodendron comosum, commonly known as palm moss or palm tree moss, is a ground moss which can be divided into two varieties: Hypnodendron comosum var. comosum and Hypnodendron comosum var. sieberi. Both Hypnodendron varieties most commonly grow in damp locations in the temperate and tropical rainforests of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania in southern Australia and in New Zealand.
  This "miniature forest" dendroid species is viewed by David Meagher and Bruce Fuhrer in their publication A Field Guide to the Mosses and Allied Plants of Southern Australia as one of the most beautiful and unique species of mosses in the southern region of Australia. While both varieties are extremely similar, they are easily identified by their elevation above other moss and lichen species within their ecosystem. Positioned atop an erect stem, the branches form an umbrella shape, the source of the common name "palm tree moss".
context_section_description: Hypnodendron comosum is endemic to the Australian states of New South wales, Victoria, and Tasmania and to New Zealand, Stuart Island, and the Campbell Islands. 
  Since it is located in New Zealand as well as Australia, this indicates that the species predates Gondwanaland, suggesting that this species may be included as one of the earliest species to diverge from water to land and may give vital insight toward how vascular plants evolved. 
  Hypnodendron comosum var. sieberi is more commonly located on mainland Australia and the northern South Island of New Zealand, whereas H. c. var. comosum is more commonly located in Tasmania, the southern South Island of New Zealand, and the islands located in the southern ocean.
caption: Distribution of both varieties of Hypnodendron comosum,  H. c. var. comosum and H. c. var. sieberi
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