Specimen #1 Moss

Specimen 1: Moss

Figure 1: Image of individual leaf showing toothed tip, the extended midrib from base to tip, and the midrib taking up < or = to 1/4 of leaf width of upper leaf

Figure 2: Image showing the mix of dry and wet leaves as some curl in and some spread out, rust colored fuzz pictured

Figure 3: Picture is the specimen as water is absorbed and leaves begin to spread into starlike shape, rust-colored fuzz visible, few dried leaves curling inward are visible, leaves appear wavy when wet

Scientific Name: Atrichum altercristatum
Common Name: Wavy Starburst Moss
Order: Polytrichales
Family: Polytrichaceae
Collection Date: September 2015
Habitat: Dry, sunny, under oak tree, soil
Location: South Russell, OH
Description: Rust-colored fuzz matted on stem base, dried leaves curl tightly, wet leaves spread out (starlike), wavy when wet, midrib reaches leaf tip, leaves edges toothed near tip
Collector: Willa Schrlau

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

• Acrocarpous 
• Leaf shape: Lance
• Midrib: Yes
• Key II, pp. 342-350
• Darker green --> 3
• Soil --> 4
• Rippled/wavy when wet --> 5
• Midrib to leaf tip --> 6
• Midrib < or = to 1/4 width of upper leaf --> 7
• 1-3 cm tall, rust colored fuzz --> Atrichum altecristatum pp. 69

Ecology:
Commonly grow on Ohio soil in forests along trails and roads (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association).

Figure 4: Distribution of species throughout Ohio

Links:

http://www.fnanaturesearch.org/index.php?option=com_naturesearch&task=view&id=1397
http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-atrichum-altecristatum/
http://annalidibotanica.uniroma1.it/index.php/Annalidibotanica/article/view/13059
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/275098327_Mosses_as_bioindicators_of_air_pollution_along_an_urban-agricultural_transect_in_the_Credit_River_Watershed_southern_Ontario_Canada

Bryopsida Links:

http://tolweb.org/Bryopsida
http://www.dlia.org/class-bryopsida
http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=Bryopsida&display=31
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/bryophyta.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/plants/bryophyta/bryophyta.html