March Mosses

March Break is almost over, and since I haven't posted in a couple weeks thought I'd get something out. I spent most of the week working on my "moss game". I think I improved it, but with all the new stuff I learned the more I felt less confident in my knowledge! That is all part of learning however, and I am looking forward to acquiring more info on the subject!

I explored a variety of habitats these past few days. Everything from bogs, to lawns, to cliff faces (though due to icy conditions, I couldn't explore the rocks too extensively!).

 Here are some of my favourites from the past week, some identifications are still tentative. I saw and collected much more, but mosses are incredibly hard to ID, and most require a microscope. In my case, I have a plastic toy microscope from "Toys R Us" that I got about a decade ago when I was a budding scientist in first grade (many fond memories of examining mosquito larvae and onion skins!)

Sessile Grimmia (Schistidum apocarpum)

Red Beard-Moss (Bryoerythrophyllum recurviostrum)

Tetraphis Moss (Tetraphis pellucida)

Prairie Peatmoss (Sphagnum palustre)

Girgensohn's Peatmoss (Sphagnum girgenshonii)

Magellan's Peatmoss (Sphagnum magellanicum)

Russow's Peatmoss (Sphagnum russowii)

Northern Peatmoss (Sphagnum capillifolium)

Bog Haircap Moss (Polytrichum strictum)

Brown Peatmoss (Sphagnum fuscum)

Waxyleaf Moss (Dicranum polysetum)

Anomodon Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)

Tangled Thread Moss (Hygramblystegium varium)

Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altercristatum)

Ribbed Bristle Moss (Orthotrichum anomalum)

Hedwig's Fringeleaf Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)

Brachythecium laetum

Common Pocket Moss (Fissidens taxifolius)

Pleated Foxtail Moss (Brachythecium salebrosum)