Kindbergia praelonga
(Common Feather-moss) - Hypnales
Kindbergia praelonga is a moss belonging to the order Hypnales and there are about 7 species in the Kindbergia genus. It forms shoots, up to 3 cm long, that branch either side in a plane (pinnate branching as in a fern leaf) with a feather-like appearance. This moss typically ascends the trunks and branches of trees or grows on the woodland floor and over logs. It is most common in lowland woods. Do bear in mind that some moss species are rare and so no materials should be collected if in doubt and minimal materials needed for identification should only be collected from large populations.
The capsules are ovate, inclined to horizontal and borne on reddish seta which are usually distinctly roughened (paillose) in Kindbergia. The capsules have a beaked lid (operculum), which is quite characteristic of the Hypnales which have conical to beaked lids. The perichaetial leaves (those surrounding the female reproductive organs and hence the seta, in a cup-like fashion) also end in a fine hair-like tip (acumen) which is characteristic of this genus.
The peristome of Kindbergia praelonga is perfect, meaning that it has the full complement of 16 outer and 16 inner peristome teeth.
Above: the calyptra is still enclosing the operculum (lid) of this moss capsule.
Characteristic of Kindbergia praelonga is the differing shapes of stem and branch leaves. Stem leaves, seen above, have a wide base flaring out, whilst branch leaves (below) have much narrower bases.
Atrichum undulatum
(Common Smoothcap / Catherine's Moss) - Polytrichales
Atrichum undulatum belongs to the order Polytrichales.This moss has characteristically undulating leaves (as does Plagiomnium-undulatum which also grows in this locale, see below). it is a large moss with erect acrocarpous shoots reaching 7 cm in height. It is found in lowland woods (as well as heaths, grassland, anthills, rocky ledges) and prefers approximately neutral substrates.
The conspicuous capsules of A. undulatum are held in an almost horizontal position on seta up to 3 cm long and are curved or arcuate (arc-shaped) with a very long beak on the operculum (lid). this is probably var. undulatum in which capsules are common.
Below:characteristic of this moss (distinguishing it from Plagiomnium-undulatum) are the curious longitudinal plates or sheets of cells (lamellae) that lie along the nerve of the leaf.
Below: the perichaetial leaves of Atrichum are generally longer and narrower than the stem leaves.
Plagiomnium undulatum
(Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss) - Bryales
Plagiomnium undulatum belongs to the order of mosses: Bryales. Like Atrichum undulatum it also has undulating leaves, but the leaves have much blunter tips and the moss can reach a larger size, with shoots up to 15 cm long and which show tree-like branching. its nerves also lack the longitudinal lamellae found in Atrichum undulatum. It grows in neutral to basic woodland soils and grassland.
P. undulatum can reproduce asexually by means of stolon-like shoots. The moss is dioicous (the male antheridia and female archegonia are borne on different plants).
Hypnum cupressiforme
(Cypress-leaved Plait-moss) - Hypnales
This pleurocarpous moss belongs to the order Hypnales and typically forms prostrate branching shoots up to 8 cm long. Its capsules have beaked lids. It is very common on bark and siliceous rocks, preferring acidic, neutral and slightly basic substrates. There are about 22 species in the genus Hypnum.
Above: the leaves of Hypnum cupressiforme either lack nerves or have very short double nerves and have long tapered and curved tips characteristic of the genus. Another similar species is Hypnum jutlandicum (Heath Plait-moss) but based on the habitat H. cupressiforme is the more likely species here. The sporophytes (sporophyte = seta + capsules) have become detached 9along with perichaetial leaves) from their parent plant and so we can not be certain that they are capsules of H. cupressiforme, though they have the right general morphology and probably are (but those of Isothecium are also similar though are some differences under close microscopical examination). Note the detached capsule lid (lower left in the above).
Polytrichastrum
formosum (Bank Haircap) - Polytrichales
Polytrichastrum formosum (Bank Haircap, formerly Polytrichum formosum) is superficially similar to Polytrichum commune but the former grows in drier habitats and its capsules lack a basal constriction. The capsules of both species are box-like with well formed angles (4-angled in Polytrichum commune, 5 to 6 angled in Polytrichastrum formosum) with beaked lids. The beak is longer in Polytrichastrum formosum and the seta shorter. Microscopically, the leaves of these two species can be distinguished.
The leaves of Polytrichastrum formosum (shown here) and Polytrichum commune have close-packed longitudinal columns of photosynthetic cells covering the adaxial (front) of the leaf, but in Polytrichastrum the leaf is flatter with a v-shaped protruding nerve on the back, whereas the backs of the leaves of Polytichum are distinctly rounded.
Polytrichastrum commune occurs in deciduous woodland, both lowland and upland on acidic soils and heaths. Polytrichum commune occurs in wetter places of similar habitats (including bogs).
Mnium hornum
(Swan's-neck Thyme-moss) - Bryales
There are some 19 species in the genus Mnium. Mnium hornum is one of the most common mosses of the British Isles, but is also found in other parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America. When mature, the seta curves over, leaving the capsule pendant, but still clearly emergent from the leaves, hence the name of 'Swan's-neck'.
The leaves have characteristic borders, which are strongly developed and minutely toothed.
Above:a male 'flower' of Mnium hornum. Mosses do not have true flowers, but the sex organs are often in groups and surrounded by modified leaves (perigonial leaves surround groups of male organs, perichaetial leaves surround female organs or mixed groups of both male and female). The purpose of these perigonial leaves is to catch and retain water, since water is required for the release and motility of the male antherozoids (sperm cells). The male organs (antheridia) are embedded in a mass of sterile orange hair-like structures called paraphyses (visible in this case).
See also: a closer look at Mnium hornum.
Brachythecium
rutabulum (Rough-stalked feather-moss)
The picture above shows a variety of mosses (how many distinct types can you see?) including some we have already discussed, but there is at least one other species: two distinctive plants visible in the top half of the image with distinct leafy shoots, which almost look like little flowering plants. These are probably mosses of the Plagiomnium genus of similar species. Ample Plagiomnium undulatum grows in this area and perhaps these are very young plants of this species, or a different species such as Plagiomnium affine. A closer look is required to be certain.
The dark red capsules with conical lids are borne on roughened seta and almost certainly belong to a species of Brachythecium (Feather-moss). A close inspection of the leaves will enable the species to be determined (the prime candidates are Brachythecium rutabulum, B. populeum and B. velutinum. A closer follow-up inspection revealed this to be Brachythecium rutabulum (Rough-stalked Feather-moss). The irregular branches of this moss are ascending/erect.
haracteristic of Brachythecium rutabulum, the egg-shaped and slightly curved capsules are dark color and similar in color to the red seta when mature and held inclined to horizontal (sometimes hanging-down or 'pendant'). The seta is characteristically papillose (warty).
The egg-shaped leaves have nerves that end well below the tip. This moss is very common in the British Isles, and is also found in other parts of Europe, North and Central America, n. Africa and Oceania. grows on soil, wood, stones, walls, tree trunks and branches, logs and stumps in both shaded and open areas.