Sample #2: Ceratodon purpureus, Moss

Name: Ceratodon purpureus

Common Name: Purple Moss

Family: Ditrichaceae

Collection Date: September 5, 2016

Habitat: Found on weather treated rooftop in Warren, Ohio. Location generally gets much rain, and is in direct sunlight, when the weather is applicable.

Description:  Small, grows in clumps. Overall, is a dark green, Seate can be seen very close to the base of the plant, and is not visible over top of the leaves.  During collection time, capsules were able to be seen. 

Key Used: McKnight, K. B. (2013). Common mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Figure 1: Ceratodon purpureus, moss sample.

Figure 2:  Leaf from the purple moss.  The midrib is visible; however, the evenness does not continue through the leaf. The structure is more visible at the base of the leaf, and decreases as it makes its way to the top.

Figure 3: Capsule found on the purple moss. The seate was bent over, and contained a harden capsule. Multiple capsules were found on one sample of the moss. Other samples did not contain capsules. 

Keying Steps:

Acrocarp-Lance

1b. Plants darker green, yellow green, or brownish black, shoots loosely associated or if densely packed then ot in domed mounds; leaves flat or folded but not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at bas of leaf….3

3b. Plants on soil, rocks, trees, or logs in dry areas, or if in wetter areas, not submerged in water; leaves not folded at base….4

4b. Leaf surface not rippled or wavy when wet….9

9b. Leaves <4mm long….21

21b. Leaves spreading in various directions or barely diverging from stem when wet; plants lacking broad branchlets…..22

22a. Plants 2-10 cm tall (or sprawling and stems 2-10 cm long)….23

23b. leaf margins smooth….24

24b.  Plants yellow green, dark green or reddish…..26

26b. Stems without hairs or few scattered near base only…..27

27b. stems brown or green (not reddish)…..29

29a. plants green to purplish, always upright, growing on rock sometimes, but more commonly on soil or a variety of manmade substrates; capsule stalks 1-3 cm long.

Ceratodon purpureus