Mosses for id please

[INHT]

What a beautiful selection of mosses I saw on my walk over the weekend. Can anyone help with id please? Thanks, Becky

1)

2)

3)

4)

[Dorts]

Becky, I am no moss expert, very average, but willing to have a go.

1. 2. + 3. The star-shaped moss looks like a Polytrichum species, poss P. juniperinum.

in 2.+3. the moss with the silver hairs, growing with the above is probably Grimmia pulvinata.

4. Several possibilities with this one; I'll go for Atrichum undulatum.
Dorts.

[INHT]

Thanks, Dorts. The Polytrichum juniperinum seems quite variable then? It's really beautiful though. Becky

[Stark]

I’ll have a go as well.

I agree with the Polytrichum.

The silver haired moss is likely to be the invasive alien Campylopus introflexus.

Don’t know what 4 is, but probably not Atrichum undulatum – that’s a bigger moss (of similar size to the Polytrichum) with distinctly undulate leaves

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Stark

I’ll have a go as well.
I agree with the Polytrichum.
The silver haired moss is likely to be the invasive alien Campylopus introflexus.
Don’t know what 4 is, but probably not Atrichum undulatum – that’s a bigger moss (of similar size to the Polytrichum) with distinctly undulate leaves

Yes, I think your Campylopus introflexus is probably a better bet.

I had several possibilties for no.4. I'll have another look at them.
Dorts.

[stigofthedump]

I'll have a stab at them also.

The Polytrichum species looks to me more along the lines of Pogonatum urnigerum, but happy to bow to the consensus

Campylopus introflexus looks a good call.

Number 4.. Ceratodon purpureus springs to mind.



Vince

[Dorts]

When I was in my late 20's, (a long time ago now!), I met Ted Wallace, who at the time was one of the country's leading moss experts. He offered to take me under his wing if I was interested, and help me with mosses. Later Francis Rose offered the same helping hand with this fascinating, but somewhat difficult group of plants. I declined both offers as at the time I was so into flowering plants that I couldn't see space for both groups.
How I wish I had taken at least one of their offers.

I still have Francis Rose's personel 'Sphagnum Key' which he compiled while a student. Again, I have rarely used it.
Oh for time over again!
Dorts.

[INHT]

Wow! I bet you're kicking yourself now. I'm only lately coming to mosses myself - and lichens! Like you, I'd given them a wide berth but am suddenly noticing just how beautiful they are.
Becky

[Stark]

I’d recommend the British Bryological Society’s field guide – that’s what’s got me into bryophytes