2 MEADOW SPIKEMOSS (S. apoda (L.) Spring.) 
At first glance this species is as different from 
the former as night is from day! It is a tiny, sprawl¬ 
ing mat of translucent, pale-green leaves which look 
very like a moss. It grows in wet calcareous mud and 
stone areas, usually by rivers or lakes. You must be 
alert to spot this plant as being other than a moss. 
It is found throughout the eastern United States, 
into southern Ontario and Quebec. At Ottawa it is at 
the northern limit of its range - in fact, find it on 
the Quebec side of the River and you have the most 
northern record of the species for that province 
(Raymond 1950). 
S_. apoda is rare here and so far has been found 
only at Fitzroy Harbour and Shirley’s Bay. It should 
be looked for elsewhere along the Ottawa and Rideau 
Rivers. 
ROCK SPIKEMOSS 
MEADOW SPIKEMOSS 
Distribution of Spikemosses in the Ottawa-Hull District 
47 
