Moss

As we look further into some of the lower plants, we find ourselves looking at a very common, but unheralded group of plants, the mosses.

For the rare visitor to the woods, those that travel the trails for relaxation or once in a while when on vacation, these are just taken for granted, after all, they all look the same don't they.

Well, actually there is a vast difference in the hundreds of species that can occupy the same area. Here we have three very different looking species.

Obviously, with a great number of species, we have a great number of different habitats. Within the rain forests there is a terrific number of options for these wonderful plants to germinate. This conk on a tree proves to be a nice quiet place for a number of plants to establish themselves.

Many mosses adapt to growing on the trees. There are those that thrive so well that they completely cover the trunks of some huge specimens. These species also have a vast number of different appearances.

We see these shapes from the fine thin form of Anacolia menziesii above and the broader curly leaves of Dendroalsia abietina on the right as they take advantage of this aerial habitat.

Then, like some of the lichens that hang from the trees, we have what is called by its common name, the Cat Tail Moss with huge amounts of old growth.

We also have a species that does not resemble a moss at all, but clings to the trees just the same with the common name of Tree Ruffle. There are species such as Homalothecium nuttallii that cling to the rough bark similar to ivy. With others that cling to the rocks in a similar manner as we see here with Homalothecium pinnatifidum.

Of these rock species the Bryum moss finds a place of shelter. This particular moss endures the constant flow of water from the rains that rush down the mountain sides. The life here suits this moss as it turns red and bursts into flower.

There is as great a variety of flowers on the mosses as with other plants, however, in mosses they produce spore capsules. Here we see a selection of these on different mosses.

We see here two other mosses, the Juniper haircap moss, Polytrichum juniperinum with some wonderful reddish capsules and the Plume moss, Dendroalsia abietina, here with its spore capsules.

Three additional images showing more of the huge range of leaf patterns. The sprawling Atrichum selwyni, with the common name of Cranes Bill Moss. Then the Pipe Cleaner moss, Rhytidiopsis robusta. With the third member here similar to a young fern in appearance, Fontinalis neomexicana.

The differences between the appearance of mosses can also be seen in the colors. Many of their common names are aptly suited. The one on the left is usually found besides roads and called Roadside Rock Moss. The other is shiny and carries the name of Shining Hookeria Moss.

Mosses, especially in rain forests or other areas that receive tremendous amounts of rain, can grow to huge masses. They are capable of covering large areas, spreading over anything that stands in their way. They go over rocks and cover fallen trees laying down this lush green carpet.

Two of these ground covering mosses are Broom Moss on the left, Dicranum scoparium. The other being the Plume Moss once again, when wet or after a rain this moss lifts itself up like the plumes that soldiers of past years wore in their hats.

Three close up shots can show the variation in the different species. We have the Stair-step moss Hylocomium splendens, then the Magnificent moss, Plagiomnium venustum and Menzies Tree Moss. Leucolepis acanthoneuron.


		A contrast between two male mosses

Similar to the wildflowers, we have male plants in mosses also. There is also a tremendous difference in what these two look like. The one on the left is the Badge Moss, Plagiomnium insigne, and the other is Polytrichum juniperinum.

One of the strange common name amongst the mosses is the Electrified Cats Tail Moss, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

The Neckera douglasii, on the left, lets us see how these mosses can cover the trunks of huge trees. While we have Hypnum circinale, on the right, covering the ground. Two very different mosses in appearance also.
We hope that your next visit to the domain of these amazing plants you may observe them in a different way and enjoy them a little more.