Two Mosses - ID Help Please

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 01:26 PM

A couple of mosses seen whilst out fungi hunting yesterday. I'd be grateful if anyone can point in the right direction for ID's.

Both were growing on top of a dry stone wall.

Moss 1........................Moss 2

Regards
Mike.

stigofthedump · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 04:05 PM

Going off the Seta and capsule form I would guess at Tortula spp for number 2.

Number 1, a little more difficult. The leaf shape and the pendulus form of the seta points to Bryum spp but the lid of the capsule gives me a little concern. On the whole though if I had to I would guess Bryum spp.

Vince.

diggleken · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 04:09 PM

Hi Mike,
I dont know mosses as you probably know (but I might just follow you on this !) but always think if you get down close they are a fab miniature forest - so its great to see some of your pics of them like that.

I'll watch this with interest.
Cheers
Ken

Chris Yeates · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 04:19 PM

I think Stig is on the nose here . . .

I strongly suspect Bryum capillare for 1, and two is surely Tortula muralis

and I echo Ken's comment about how attractive mosses can be - it annoys me when people say "roll on spring, winter is boring - nothing to look at": mosses and lichens are at their best at that time of year for a start

there is a Chinese poem which contains the lines:

"if useless things do not hang in your heart
every season is a good season for you"

C

Lancashire Lad · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks everyone, even if 100% species ID's can't be guaranteed, it's nice to know the families, which gives the general direction to go in order to look up information on these things.

Ken & Chris,

I entirely agree with your sentiments. This is what I find fascinating about mosses in particular. When you get down close, they do indeed look like complete miniature landscapes, and there is a certain beauty in their diverse forms.

It will be something of a challenge to try to take a few good "miniature landscape" photographs that will do them justice - something that I intend to make more of an effort with in the future.

Regards
Mike.

stigofthedump · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2009, 10:05 PM

Mike.. Well done for getting the photo's of the mosses in their reproductive cycle, makes ALL the difference

Ken & Chris,
Wish all people would love these plants as much!!!

Vince

oxycera · #7 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 07:35 AM

I agree with the ids (for what its worth). If you're looking at walltops you should see Grimmia pulvinata - small cushions with capsules curling back in and leaves with long hair-points.