Specimen #7 Moss

Specimen 7: Moss

Figure 1: Plagiothecium cavifolium has two forms - one with cylindrical, overlapping cup-shaped leaves, and the other, the less common, has flattened shoots with well-spaced and wide-spread leaves (McKnight & Rohrer, 2013).

Figure 2: Leaves are symmetrically ovate, wide-spread, and well-spaced.

Figure 3: Leaves lack midrib, have smooth edges, and come to very sharp point.

Scientific Name: Plagiothecium cavifolium 
Common Name: Round Silk Moss
Order: Hypnales
Family: Plagiotheciaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Soil, often overlying rock, moist, shady places, rotting tree bases
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Species has two forms; this form is less common; has flattened shoots bearing well-spaced, wide-spread leaves, bright olive green, shiny, leaves that are symmetrical and smooth edges
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:

• Pleurocarp  
• Leaf shape: Ovate
• Midrib: No
• Key IX, pp. 369
• Flattened branches --> 2
• Leaves wide 60°-90°, stem visible --> 5
• Lacking tiny branches at base --> 7 
• Quite flattened --> 9
• Leaves symmetrical --> 10
• Spaced, not overlapping, leaf tips short-pointed --> Plagiothecium cavifolium pp. 295

Ecology:
This species of moss can be found on soil, rocks, near stream banks and other damp places, or in shady areas (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association).

Figure 4: Distribution of species throughout Ohio

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-plagiothecium-cavifolium/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PLCA15&format=print
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=16293
http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=plca15_001_ahp.jpg

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