Mosses are good at the moment, with many showing spore capsules which can often aid identification. Mosses require close attention to detail, with microscopic analysis generally being required for a first identification. Once you have your eye in, though, many can be identified readily in the field.
First, I have
Bryum capillare, which I find mostly on wall tops, although it can also be found on verges:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwJT7TaCVNVQ43nk3iCqyyPVjH2Zie3vuT7qiAUi7rIQftdl8UxfXcknTe8KmVw7x856Ag8z3WDEd_AWnfDeYN0KZ889OoMrXHCbj0wYw_mvGG9Cw8kjKJi4JAfdkmDOY1GLET8bPKgM/s400/bryum-capillare-web.jpg)
Next, the capsule of
Tortula muralis which is another wall-top moss:
Hookeria lucens is very easily recognised, and always grows on the walls of ditches.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplPVBNflMXUloODW38Y-ySyTJXPF6C-X6TlG6YaTNa_1Ma4aneGZAEQgRhsjIq0C6aOMR_UfpdzJjJbQskukrDGhwaSq8wmkXuqNAgHeEI8xbAwinDzexBqtJeIVYhIqxY_3mprgszT8/s400/hookeria-situ-web.jpg)
The individual leaf-cells are huge, and can almost be seen with the naked eye. The top shoot here is about 6 mm. across.
Fissidens cristatus has fascinating leaves arranged in an overlapping fan:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEyB9NzhIW_Yg14uMpEwO1MhO_b88oQlmaKQCQ5LsAw5a9wvQPW5sB94r15ku1a-A8ZY2ITSPeaNmkrpkz6mUglDcsWR2o0v4jAEbZTJDTCqJPG0DbbnCCba_DGi7-cUacISJYkkeNGU/s400/fissidens-web.jpg)
Notice the darker portion to one half of each leaf. This is a double layer of cells that form a pocket, presumably for water retention. Individual leaves about 3 mm. long:
Thiudium tamariscinum grows on the trunks of trees:
Plagiomnium undulatum grows on the rear of ditches:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscHk1bleq2BHch-vEaZu2OCfLD1obs0So_ZmZOK0dV28UgeMG9_5cAr6XzBh-MLOovCL5sa_oR-rwheKwiW8zPIiWDSSdErfK4UcWT89a9YcW6exuh99xreent-4uiYuL9oHGMx2ceng/s400/plagiothecium-undulatum-web.jpg)
Mosses can be very beautiful and will repay your attention and research. As a man once said to me: "You have to get down to their level". How true.
1 comment:
Nice page. Somne of thsoe larger-leaved ones look awfully like liverworts to the uninitiated....
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