Lesser Screw-moss vs Norway screw moss

Syntrichia virescens compared with Syntrichia norvegica

Key Differences

• Lesser Screw-moss is Vulnerable while Norway screw moss is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lesser Screw-moss	Norway screw moss
Kingdom same	Plantae (Plants)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum same	Bryophyta	Bryophyta
Class same	Bryopsida (Bryopsida)	Bryopsida (Bryopsida)
Order same	Pottiales (Pottiales)	Pottiales (Pottiales)
Family same	Pottiaceae	Pottiaceae
Genus same	Syntrichia	Syntrichia
Species	Syntrichia virescens	Syntrichia norvegica

Evolutionary Relationship

Lesser Screw-moss and Norway screw moss share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Syntrichia.

Conservation Status

Lesser Screw-moss

VU — Vulnerable

Norway screw moss

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lesser Screw-moss	Norway screw moss
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lesser Screw-moss

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Norway screw moss

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden