Moss Specimen

Date2007

Dimensions1 x 8 x 9 cm (3/8 x 3 1/8 x 3 9/16 in.)

Object numberHF.2012.49.22

DescriptionA large, “C” shaped sample of Dicranum ontariense Peters. moss mainly green-brown in colour with yellow-green tips. The branches have very thin, feather-like leaves. The branches are tightly interwoven. There is a stick present along the interior curve. The reverse side looks much like the front, but a little darker in colour.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Order: Dicranales
Family: Dicranaceae
Genus: Dicranaceae Hedw.
Species: Dicranum ontariense Peters.

Narrative

Collected August 7, 2007 by Rosemary Curley in Richmond, Prince County, PEI (46°31'10.38"N,63°59'46.32"W Datum: NAD83). Collected growing on an 85 year-old black spruce.

Dicranum ontariense Peters grows in loose tufts with 3-8cm long stems. The leaves slightly undulate and narrow from a slightly wider base to thin, single costa. Capsules mature in spring and grow horizontal to be 2-3mm long. It is commonly mistaken for D. drummondii M?ller Hal and Dicranum undulatum. The distinguishing feature of Dicranum ontariense Peters are the dark to light green falcate-secund (curved), slightly undulate leaves. In his book "Moss Flora of the Maritime Provinces" Robert Ireland notes Dicranum ontariense as being one of the most distinctive species of moss in the Maritimes.

Dicranum ontariense Peters is commonly found growing in humus covering rock, rotten wood, on the forest floor, and occasionally in wetlands. It is common throughout North America including three Maritime provinces, with the exception of Prince County, PEI.

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