Moss Specimen

Date2007

Object numberHF.2012.49.6

DescriptionA dense clump of Dicranum scoparium Hedw. moss, green and red-brown in colour. Long, orange-red coloured branches extend past the short green leaves. Green leaves are very fine, curled, and are variable with a toothed surface. Specimen is oval shaped with red-brown root extended from one end. Reverse side is dark brown with dark clusters of roots among dirt.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Subclass: Dicranidae
Order: Dicranales
Family: Dicranaceae
Genus: Dicranum Hedw.
Species: Dicranum scoparium Hedw.

Narrative

Collected July 25, 2007, by Rosemary Curley from Pratt Road, Southampton, Kings County, PEI (46°22'39.96"N, 62°33'49.98"W. Datum: NAD83). Collected growing at the base of a Fagus (beech), 14 dbh (diameter at breast height).

Dicranum scoparium Hedw. commonly grows in dense tufts with stems 2-10 cm in length. Leaves are variable, curled and slightly contorted approximately 4-15x0.8-1.8mm. The moss matures in spring and is extremely variable with regards to its habitat. It is commonly found growing in soil, humus, humus over rock, decaying stumps and logs, tree bases in dry to mesic woodlands, and is sometimes found in bogs, fens and swamps.

The species name refers to a broom to which the swept appearance of its curved leaves are thought to resemble. It can be found growing in Australia, Middle America, North America, Europe, Southern Asia & Northern Asia except for China.

Collections