Specimen #5 Moss

Specimen 5: Moss

Figure 1: The hairlike leaves spread from stem when wet.

Figure 2: Yellow-green, shiny leaves that curl toward stem when dry.

Figure 3: Midrib is difficult to locate except at base, seeing as it fills most of the blade; edges are smooth.

Figure 4: The microscopic strongly toothed leaf tips are a key feature of this species.

Scientific Name: Ditrichum pallidum
Common Name: Saffron Moss
Order: Dicranales
Family: Ditrichaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Disturbed soil, partly shady woodlands
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls,  OH
Description: Strongly toothed leaf tips, midrib fills most of blade, and is hard to distinguish except at the base of the leaf, edges are smooth, sporophytes are tall with yellow seta
Collector: Breanna Beltz

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: Hair-like
• Midrib: Yes
• Key I, pp. 341
• >1 cm tall --> 2
• Leaves 3-5 mm --> Ditrichum pallidum pp. 35

Ecology:
Commonly found across Ohio on the ground of dry wooded areas (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). This species is considered endangered in Bulgaria (http://www.e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/en/vol1/Ditpalli.html).

Figure 4: Distribution of this species throughout Ohio

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-ditrichum-pallidum/
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ditrichum_pallidum
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=16861
http://www.plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=DIPA22
http://www.e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/en/vol1/Ditpalli.html

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