Sample #12: Rosulabryum capillare, Moss

Name: Rosulabryum capillare

Common Name: Cluster Moss

Family: Bryaceae

Collection Date: October 16,2016

Habitat: Found growing on a rock, in a densely wooded area. Little sunlight was avaliable, but the area was damp. 

Location: Camp Asbury

Description: Plant is a dark green, short- less than 1cm tall.  Leaves are tightly clustered. When dry, the leaves will curl, and become whispy looking.  Leaves are also cylindrical. Plant had no visible sporophytes. 

Figure 1:  Magnified view of the cluster moss

Figure 2: Branch of the moss. Leaves extend outwards, similar to a fern. Some maintain a fold over itself.

Figure 3: Magnified view of the leaf. The midrib is noticeable and extends to the tip of the leaf.

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

Keying Steps:

1. Plants < 1cm tall...2

2b. Plants green, yellow green, or brown; leaves 1-4mm long, either in basal clusters or loosely packed along stems; stems not worm like...3

3b. Leaves 2-4mm long, clustered in a basal rosette, or toward the tip of stem but not as a nest like cup capsule upright and lacking teeth or capsule horizontal to drooping found on tree bases, on soil, or rocks in disturbed areas. 

4b. Capsules drooping, 2-5mm long, on stalks 12-50 cm tall...5

5b. Plants dark green; leaves bordered with long clear cells; capsules with mouth at end...Rosulabryum Capillare.