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) |
