Specimen #13 Liverwort

Specimen 13: Liverwort

Figure 1: Pores are easily visible within the polygonal markings on the thallus in a wet sample. Some bruised areas can be seen, which are said to release an aromatic odor. 

Figure 2: Dry sample of species; pores very visible, as are the rhizines. The specimen appears flat,  and ribbon-like as a thalloid liverwort.

Scientific Name: Conocephalum conicum
Common Name: Great Scented Liverwort
Order: Marchantiales
Family: Conocephalaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Common on moist earth or rocks, often covering many square feet
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Largest of thalloid liverworts, conical umbrella only raised up on stalk in spring; emits an aromatic odor when bruised; pores very visible; polygonal markings; grow flat, ribbon-like
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: Conard, H.S. 1956. How to Know the Mosses and Liverworts. WM. C. Brown Company Publishers. Dubuque, IA.

Key Steps:

• Pictured-Key to Liverworts of North America
• Plants growing flat, ribbon-like --> 2
• Plant opaque by reason of air-spaces inside of item showing air pores and polygonal markings --> 8 
• Air pores visible without lens, each in a polygonal area --> 9 
• Without gemmae, without marginal scales on underside of thallus --> 11
• Air pores on low mound of colorless cells --> Concocephalum conicum pp. 159

Ecology:
Observed to grow with fungal associate, most commonly Dumortiera hirsuta, which was found associated with as many as 25 populations. Populations have a widespread tolerance to temperature (Iqbal, et. al).

Links:

http://bryophytes.plant.siu.edu/imConocephalumConicum.html
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=COCO38
http://www3.botany.ubc.ca/bryophyte/conocephalum.html
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/liverworts/Conocephalum_conicum-salebrosum.pdf
http://www.bioref.lastdragon.org/Bryophyta/Conocephalum_conicum.html
http://www.archive-for-bryology.com/Archive%20104.pdf

Liverwort Links:

http://www.britannica.com/plant/liverwort
http://www.backyardnature.net/liverwrt.htm
http://www.anbg.gov.au/bryophyte/what-is-liverwort.html
http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/bryophytes/liverworts/intro.htm

Specimen #12 Lichen

Specimen 12: Lichen

Figure 1: The pale gray-green surface exposing the bright red/orange medulla can be seen from this profile view. The powdery surface is due to soredia. 

Figure 2: The upper surface, brightly colored medulla, and black lower surface with some white-tipped rhizomes are visible. The powdery soredia are present, as well. Lobes are visibly small in size. 

Scientific Name: Phaeophyscia rubropulchra
Common Name: Orange-cored Shadow Lichen
Order: Teloschistales
Family: Phyciaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Grows on tree bark and rocks in light to deep shade; shade tolerant; rarely on conifers, moss or rock
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Medulla is orange/red; gray/green upper surface; lower surface black, rhizines have white tips; soredia present on lobe margins; lobes 0.5-1.2 mm;
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used:
Ohio Division of Wildlife. 2015. Common Lichens of Ohio: Field Guide. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Columbus, OH.

Walewski, J. 2007. Lichens of the North Woods. Kollath+Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Key Steps:

• Key 1: photo found on pp. 46

• Key 2:
• Trees Section (green)
• Foliose Section (purple)
• Orange-cored Shadow Lichen, foliose pale to dark green, small lobed, red-orange inner core, found on bark of deciduous trees in shaded forests --> Phaeophyscia rubropulchra pp. 118

Ecology:
This species is common on trees in the eastern United States and is widespread and common in Ohio around tree bases (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). The species is fairly tolerant to shade and is commonly grazed by slugs, which eat the upper cortex, exposing the brightly colored medulla (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). 

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-phaeophyscia-rubropulchra/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHRU4
http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=Phaeophyscia+rubropulchra
http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?print=yes&q=record_ID:nmnhbotany_2031385
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=191075

Lichen Links:

http://www.backyardnature.net/lichens.htm
http://www.lichen.com
http://www.lichen.com/biology.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.html

Specimen #11 Lichen

Specimen 11: Lichen

Figure 1: Pale mint green, thick and cottony thallus.

Figure 2: Rounded edges, consisting mostly of soredia with a powdery, dust appearance.

Figure 3: Image showing the small size of this species (<1.5 cm in this photo).

Scientific Name: Lepraria lobificans
Common Name: Fluffy Dust Lichen
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Stereocaulaceae 
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Rocks and trees in shade; one of the most shade tolerant lichens 
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Fairly thick, fluffy thallus consisting of mostly soredia, thallus is pale yellow-green to greenish gray, often rounded edges; crustose
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used:
Ohio Division of Wildlife. 2015. Common Lichens of Ohio: Field Guide. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Columbus, OH.

Walewski, J. 2007. Lichens of the North Woods. Kollath+Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Key Steps:

• Key 1: photo found on pp. 17

• Key 2:
• Trees Section (green)
• Crustose Section (blue)
• Fluffy Dust Lichen; common on tree bases and shaded rock, yellowish-green to pale mint green, thick and cottony, fuzzy or dusty surface--> Lepraria lobificans pp. 99

Ecology:
One of the most commonly found dust lichens in North America (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). This species is a source of soredia that camouflage lacewing larvae (Ohio Division of Wildlife).

Links:

http://www.lichens.lastdragon.org/Lepraria_lobificans.html
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Lepraria+lobificans
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Name&search_value=Lepraria%20lobificans&search_kingdom=Fungal&search_span=exactly_for&categories=All&source=html&search_credRating=All#
http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-lepraria-lobificans/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CRAL10

Lichen Links:

http://www.backyardnature.net/lichens.htm
http://www.lichen.com
http://www.lichen.com/biology.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.html

Specimen #10 Moss

Specimen 10: Moss

Figure 1: Blackish plants with spiky leaves; change little when wet, but reveal hints of red and green.

Figure 2: Leaves curve outward, as imaged.

Figure 3: Leaves are lance-shaped with a midrib that can be difficult to identify seeing as most of the blade is filled with it; leaf edges are smooth; cells are rounded.

Figure 4: Plants are small; leaves are 1-2 mm long, as seen above.

Scientific Name: Andreaea rothii
Common Name: Needle-leaved Lantern Moss
Order: Andreaeles
Family: Andreaeaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Acidic rocks, shaded or out in the open, dry or wet rocks, but often where water seeps over rock at least periodically
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Small, blackish plants, crusty patches over rocks, crumble when dry, football shaped capsules, leaves change little when wet, but reveal subtle hints of red and green
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: Lance
• Midrib: Yes
• Key II, pp. 342-350
• Darker green or blackish brown leaves, leaves flat or folded but not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at base of leaf --> 3
• On soil, rock, trees, logs in dry areas, or if wet area, then plants not submerged in water; not folded at base --> 4
• Leaf surface not rippled or wavy when wet --> 9
• Leaves < 4 mm long --> 21
• Leaves spreading in various directions when wet or barely diverging from stem --> 22
• Plants 0.2-2 cm tall --> 34
• Plants growing on rock, soil, rotting wood, tree base, or other substrate --> 39
• Shoots not surrounded by persistent protonema; leaves various --> 40
• Leaves not at all bluish and not cobwebby or moldy in appearance --> 41
• Leaves not or slightly contorted when dry, sometimes tips slightly twisted or leaf folded like keel --> 48
• Plant not whitish or pale green --> 49
• Growing on rock, green to dark green, brown, black --> 53
• Capsules opening by 4 lengthwise slits to resemble a Chinese lantern when dry --> 54
• Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, midrib present --> Andreaea rothii pp.121

Ecology:
This species belongs to the family referred to as the "granite mosses," and its genus is the single representative of this class found in North America, with the acceptation of Andreaeobryum. This species is one of two most commonly represented in North America, but is less widespread, more commonly found in eastern North America (Ohio University).

Links:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ANRO7
https://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/vislab/moss/mckinney.htm
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=548229
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200000843

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

Specimen #9 Moss

Specimen 9: Moss

Figure 1: Leaves are green to yellowish-brown with wormlike branches; capsules are brown to black, and spherical.

Figure 2: Leaves are egg-shaped, sometimes with tips bent away from the branch up to 45 degrees.

Figure 3: Leaves lack teeth and a midrib; cells are triangular in this species.

Scientific Name: Sphagnum palustre
Common Name: Blunt-leaved Peat Moss
Order: Sphagnales
Family: Sphagnaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Margins of streams, bogs, ponds; more typically shaded areas than in full sun
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Large, upright, 8-25 cm tall, green/yellow-brown, plump, wormlike branches, leaves have no midrib; capsules are uncommon, brown to black, spherical
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:

• Peat Moss
• Key XII, pp. 376-379
• Branches plump, wormlike, branched leaves with margins strongly incurved, forming blunt, hooded tips --> 2
• Plants green, yellowish --> 4
• Spreading branches with tapering ends, green to yellowish brown --> Sphagnum palustre pp. 325

Ecology:
This species was used for a European Union project at the University of Freiburg in Germany to track air pollution, with hopes of using biotechnology to then fight pollution (Euronews).

Links:

http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Sphagnum_palustre.pdf
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPPA70
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=15692
http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/03/biotechnology-to-fight-air-pollution/

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

Specimen #8 Moss

Specimen 8: Moss

Figure 1: This species is 5-15 cm tall when upright; stalk of capsule is 5-9 cm tall.

Figure 2: Leaves are narrow and pointed; tightly pressed to stem when dry.

Figure 3: Capsules are four-sided, box-like, with a disk at the base.

Figure 4: Leaves are about 6-10 mm long.

Figure 5: Leaves are narrow, thick, and has teeth running from its base to the tip; midrib hard to recognize, as it fills most of the blade.

Scientific Name: Polytrichum commune
Common Name: Common Haircap Moss
Order: Polytrichales
Family: Polytrichaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Moist soil, along margins of bogs, swamps, lakes, often shaded
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Four-sided capsule with disk, 6-10 mm long; large; plant 5-10 cm tall, upright, look like pine tree seedlings
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: Lance
• Midrib: Yes
• Key II, pp. 342-350
• Darker green, brownish black, midrib visible --> 3
• Not submerged in water, not folded @ base --> 4
• Not wavy when wet --> 9
• Leaves mostly > or = to 4 mm long --> 10
• Wet leaves stiff, thick, opaque - midrib visible @ base --> 14
• Leaf margin toothed except along leaf base, capsule with or without disk --> 17
• Capsule four-sided, like box --> 19
• Capsule with disk at attachment to stalk --> Polytrichum commune pp. 57

Ecology:
This species is used in New Zealand as a decorative material for cloaks, woven into the fabric. They provide extra warmth, as well. This moss is used to make teas to relieve and dissolve gall bladder and kidney stones, and to strengthen hair. The leaves have been used to make brooms, brushes, rugs, baskets, and more (Ohio University).

Links:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=POCO38
https://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/vislab/moss/giallombardo.htm
http://www.theplantencyclopedia.org/wiki/Polytrichum_commune
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Polytrichum_commune_var._commune.pdf

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

Specimen #6 Moss

Specimen 6: Moss

Figure 1: When dry, this species has a whitish green with a characteristic gray glossy appearance to them; leaves curl when dry.

Figure 2: When wet, leave are brighter green and lose gray glossy appearance; gently sweep to one side.

Figure 3: Leaves are hairlike and approximately 4-8 mm long; curved upward, appearing tube-like.

Figure 4: Leaf made entirely of the midrib, except at the base.

Figure 5: The tip of the leaf is very finely toothed, as imaged above.

Scientific Name: Paraleucobryum longifolium
Common Name: Silver Bloom Moss
Order: Dicranales
Family: Dicranaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Rocks or boulders in moist forests
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chargin Falls,  OH
Description: Tip finely toothed, when dry- whitish green/grey shade, when wet- more green, gently curls to one side on plant, midrib composed of alternating clear and green cells
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
• Plants > 1 cm tall --> 3
• Leaves swept to one side of stem --> 4
• Gray green/ white green - individual plants with leaves swept to one side, but not all plants swept to same side --> Paraleucobryum longifolium pp. 43

Ecology: Often found intermixed in cushions of Dicranium fuscescens (Flagmeier, 2013).

Links:

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200001018
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PALOS2
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:catalogueoflife.org:taxon:ed066356-29c1-102b-9a4a-00304854f820:col20120124#tab_classification
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/259369480_Paraleucobryum_longifolium_%28Hedw.%29_Loeske_in_Scotland

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