Sample #11 Dicranum scoparium, moss

Name: Dicranum scoparium

Common Name: Windswept Broom Moss

Family: Dicranaceae 

Collection Date: October 16,2016 

Location: Camp Asbury

Habitat:  Found growing in damp soil, in a shady, heavily wooded area. Overall, there was a large mass of the plant found. Plant was still in the sporophyte stage, as the plant had large number of sporophytes still attached to the plant. Lids of the capsules were not broken off. 

Figure 1: Sample of the  Dicranum scoparium

Figure 2: Leaf of the Broom Moss. The leaf has an identifiable mid rib, and straight edge leaves. The leaves when dry curl into the plant, with the tips pointing out in many different directions, as can be seen in figure 1.

Figure 3:Capsule of the Broom moss. Capsule still has the cap, and is curved in a "S" shaped curve. The capsule leans over the plant; does not stay straight. 

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

Keying Steps:

1b. Plants larger than 1cm tall; usually in forests on soil, rock, logs, or trees....3

3a. Leaves swept to one side of stem with tips more or less pointing in one direction....4

4a. Plants dark green; entire clump windswept to one side; capsule 3-4 mm; stalk 2-4 cm....Dicranum scoparium