Moss Specimen

Date2007

DimensionsOther (.1)): 1 x 4.5 x 6 cm (3/8 x 1 3/4 x 2 3/8 in.)

Object numberHF.2012.49.17.1-.2

DescriptionTwo samples of Callicladium haldanianum [Grev.] Crum plus plus Hypnum pallescens [Hedw.] P. Beauv. And Herzogiella turfacea [Lindb.] Iwats. moss. Yellow-green in colour. One sample is small and the other large. Each mixed with many pieces of organic matter (tree bark?). Moss is silver-green with short, feather-like leaves. The reverse side is slightly darker in colour.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Order: Hypnales
Family: Hypnaceae Schimp.
Genus: Callicladium H.A. Crum
Species: Callicladium haldanianum [Grev.] Crum

Narrative

Collected August 7, 2007, by Rosemary Curley in Northam Hardwood Ridge, Prince County, PEI (46°32'39.44"N, 63°56'9.13"W.) Collected growing in a wet patch.

Plagiomnium cuspidatum [Hedwig] T.J. Kopponen is a short lived, perennial moss with unbranched stems up to 7.5cm in length. It's alternate leaves are arranged horizontally along the stem and are 2.5-5mm long. The leaves have fine, sharp teeth along their margins. When dry, the leaves darken and become crinkled, and straighten with moist again. Fertile shoots produce erect, unbranched stems up to 2 cm in length and develop a nodding spore capsule on a long stalk.

Plagiomnium cuspidatum grows in cool climates and in habitats with partial sun to moderate shade in moist, well drained conditions. It will grow in loan, clay, humus, gravel, or sand. It can also adapt to shady moist rock surfaces. Geographically it can be found throughout North American, Europe, Asia, Central America and New Zealand. Locally it is found throughout the three Maritime provinces, but is less common in Prince County, PEI.

This moss is often used for lining the nests of birds, such as Barn Swallows, Cedar Waxwings, and American Robins among others.

Collections