Unidentified bryophyte - beautiful Moss

[webcap]

Are you able to id this attractive moss that has colonised my slate roof?

On closer view there seem to be some small snails on them?

I was up the ladder cleaning the gutters out - they have created quite a colony

They often blow off and are so smooth to the touch - almost like furry ears - 10cm high - North East facing slope - none on the North West side

Your help is appreciated
Regards
Webcap

Near Larne - Northern Ireland

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi webcap,

I'm not at all confident regarding ID'ing mosses, but I've had a look in the book Ferns, Mosses & Lichens of Britain & Northern Europe (Collins Guide), and the nearest looking specimen in there is: -

Leucobryum glaucum.

I've done a google image search for that name, and some of the resulting hits look very similar (although I have to admit some don't).

Hopefully someone better versed in mosses than me will also give an opinion.

Regards
Mike.

[Tiggrx]

I'm afraid I can't help with what it is but I can confirm that it is not Leucobryum glaucum which is a rather whitish-green moss of woodlands.

[stigofthedump]

Hi webcap and welcome.
I'm afraid getting an ID for your moss, indeed any moss, from a photo is going to prove difficult.
I can see where Lancashire Lad was coming from, ie general form of the moss, but its very unlikely to be Leucobryum glaucum. As Tigrx states that is a moss generally associated with woodlands.
Might I be so bold as to suggest you send me a few stems, no more than would cost you the price of a first class stamp and I would be more than happy to identify it for you.

PM me.


Best regards

Vince

[webcap]

Thanks all for your help - I was in the library tonight (only one basic book to go on)and came away with L Glaucum as a possibility as well - I will still google it - I don't mind posting a sample this weekend after I get the ladders out again - they are fascinating and I have the New Naturalists book and Roger Philips too, but I was struggling - The Collins Guide to the Ferns, Mosses and Lichens of Britain is out of print and any sources are looking £75 for a copy! Will pm you for your contact address - again thanks very much
Webcap

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I'm afraid I can't help with what it is but I can confirm that it is not Leucobryum glaucum which is a rather whitish-green moss of woodlands.

Well I did say I was no expert

Only reason I thought it may be L. glaucum, was that the photo looked remarkably similar to the one in my book, and the description says that this species is common and widely distributed, inhabits acid humus soils, heathlands (as well as woodland), and it is also occasionally found growing completely detached as "moss balls"

One of the web sites I visited described L. glaucum as whitish blue-green, sometimes light green, bleaches white on drying.

Given the location in Northern Ireland (acid soil - peat bogs etc) I just thought this might just possibly be some of the light green detached individuals.

Obviously barking up the wrong tree.

Regards
Mike.

[RobSutton]

I'd be looking at some of the wall top species - perhaps one of the Grimmia species. Grimmia trichophylla is one that is know to occur on slate roofs. As Vince says though, doing mosses from photographs is difficult.

[oxycera]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

As Vince says though, doing mosses from photographs is difficult.

doing mosses from mosses is difficult

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by oxycera

doing mosses from mosses is difficult

True, but at least they stay still - not like those hoverflies, ichneumons, sciomyzids and pompilids you seem to have on the tip of your tongue.

[oxycera]

I think all entomologists should have a 'go' at mosses, in winter perhaps.
I've made 2 or 3 attempts over the years - I get so far (recognising c50 of the most common species) then it really gets difficult. At this point you need expert advice - but then its Spring again, the insects are out and I never get any further!