Monday, November 7, 2011

Specimen #10 Hair Cap Moss

                                           Figure 1: Hair cap moss growing in the soil

                                           Figure 2: Close up of the leaves

                                           Figure 3: Another view of the leaves

Name: Polytrichum commune
Family:  Polytrichaceae
Common Name: hair cap moss
Collection Date:  October 22, 2011
Habitat: Growing in the soil on the side of a hill
Location: The Nature Realm 
Description: "Robust, dark-green or brownish plants in loose dense tufts, on soil and in moist areas, widespread in North America.. (Conrad and Redfearn, 1979)."
Collector:
Kelcie Cuckler

Key used: Conard, H.S. and P.L. Redfearn, Jr. 1979. How to Know the Mosses and Liverworts 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, Boston, Mass.
Keying Steps:
Introduction Key pg. 19
1a. Plant with stems and leaves,.. rhizoids multicellular,.. no elaters in capsule.. 2
2b. Plants not sphagnidae.. 3
3b. Plants not andreaeidae.. p.28 subclass bryidae
Key to Genera
1b. Green, brown, yellow plants.. not in 2 or 3 layers.. 3
3b. Leaves inserted in 3 or more rows.. 7
7b. Plants with a peristome of more than 4 teeth.. 8
8b. Leaves well developed and persistent.. 9
9b. Capsule and leaves not as above.. 10
10b. Plants without a distinct stem, capsule with operculum.. 17
17b. Plants minute to large, capsules minute to exerted.. 20
 20a. Leaves with filiform green photosynthetic outgrowths on upper surface or lamellae.. 21
21b. Leaves with vertical lamellae on upper surface.. 23
23b. Leaves toothed on margin or with translucent sides folded over upper surface.. 24
24b. Lamellae on upper surface of leave more than 20; calyptra hairy.. 27
27b. Capsule 4-6 angled, calyptra slightly hairy; leaves entire to serrate.. p.227 Polytrichum

Key to Species
1b. End cells of lamellae smooth; calyptra hairy.. 2
2b. Leaves ending in an awn.. 3
3b. Margins of leaf scarcely taller than lamellae.. 5
5b. End cells peculiar in shape and thickening of walls.. 7
7a. End cells notched with thickened walls.. Polytrichum commune
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