Hmm...thought it was a little warmer out...went up Catamount again to try and get some pictures of some Dicranum species as well as other ground mosses. However it was a littler chillier than i thought and my battery in the camera said...meh...i'm too cold...so i collected a few common species and brought them home and warmed up my battery.
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| Thuidium icicles - brrr |
Often called ‘Broom’ mosses for the way their long leaves sweep to one side, like an old broom, the Dicranums are one of our largest families. They are found on a variety of substrates which makes identifying them somewhat easier. Several species also have unique reproductive strategies.
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Size comparison of some common Dicranum species
Top Row: D. montanum, D. flagellare, D. fulvum
Bottom Row: D. scoparium, D. polysetum |
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Dicranum montanum - our smallest dicranum, unassuming,
yet gets around! on tree trunks, tree bases, logs and rocks. |
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Dicranum flagellare (note the stiff, upright brood branches)
loves rotten logs |
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| Dicranum fulvum - blackish green, loves acid rocks |
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| Dicranum scoparium - one of the most common, classic 'windswept' leaves |
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| Dicranum polysetum - One of our largest dicranums, undulate leaves |
I am so excited to find your blog (thanks to the NY Flora Assoc. blog)! I took a bryophyte course in grad school from Dr. Robin Kimmerer, but sadly, it's been a case of "use it or lose it," and I've lost much of the hard-earned ID skills I had.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have so many mosses here in southern MI where I now live - not like the wonderful mosses I saw daily in the Adirondacks over the last 10 years. Still - new horizons.
I look forward to relearning my mosses from you.
Thanks Ellen! one of my favorite moss books is 'Gathering Moss' by Robin Kimmerer. I've met a lot of moss people, but, sadly have never met her. I'm glad you're enjoying the blog!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting. I especially like the comparisons between species of the same genera. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner. I think I need your guide. I'm from Indonesia. I'ts nice to see this blog, can you help me? I have some species that I don't know what is it. Wish for you help =')
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