pintahionnannot

Pintahionnannot is a monotypic genus of luminous bryophytes in the family Pintahionaceae. The sole described species is Pintahionnannot vallis, noted for its faint bioluminescent glow in low light. The genus and species were described to reflect the plant’s distinctive habitat and gentle nocturnal illumination.

Etymology of the name combines elements from local place-names and Latin roots, intended to convey the plant’s nightly marking of rock surfaces. The term is widely used in field guides and taxonomic databases within the region where it occurs.

Pintahionnannot vallis forms small, tufted mats typically 2–5 cm across. Shoots reach 1–3 cm in height, with leaves measuring about 0.5–1.2 mm. The plant’s most notable feature is its bioluminescent cells, concentrated at leaf margins and sporophyte caps, which emit a green to blue glow under moonlight and starlight. Reproduction occurs via spores produced on slender stalks (setae) that rise above the mats.

Habitat and distribution are restricted to shaded, humid rock faces in cloud forests and montane habitats at elevations approximately 1,200–2,100 meters. It prefers damp microclimates with limited direct sunlight and is commonly found on limestone or quartzite substrates with moss cover. Ecologically, the glow may play a role in microhabitat interactions, though the exact function remains under study.

Discovery and classification: the species was described in 2015 by botanist Dr. Arin Vel after field surveys in the Nymera Highlands. Holotype specimens are stored in the regional herbarium network. In culture and lore, the plant’s glow is often regarded as a nighttime guide for hikers and as a symbol of forest renewal.