Moss Specimen

Date2007

Dimensions1.5 x 8 x 8.5 cm (9/16 x 3 1/8 x 3 3/8 in.)

Object numberHF.2012.49.26

DescriptionA sample of Philonotis marchica [Hedw.] Brid. moss with thin curved, green branches. Sample is thicker towards left side then the right. Branches have very small leaves which look triangular shaped. Tips of the branches are light-green and change to dark-green towards the middle, darken to green-brown near the base. Other plant matter (grass/straw?) is present in the sample. The reverse side is darker in colour with a section of red-brown branches to the right edge. Sample is vaguely triangular in shape.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Order: Bryales
Family: Bartramiaceae Schwägr.
Genus: Philonotis Brid. – philonotis moss
Species: Philonotis marchica [Hedw.] Brid.

Narrative

Collected September 21, 2007 by Glen Kelly in Doc?s Marsh, Forest Hill WMA, Kings County, PEI (46°21'44.04"N,62°31'42.6"W. Datum NAD83).

Philonotis marchica [Hedw.] Brid. moss grows in tufts of light to dark green mats. The stems grow 1-20 cm high with irregular branches. The lanceolate leaves are stiff, 0.6-3mm long. It is often mistaken for Philonotis fontana as it grows in similar habitats including in soil over rock in wet, shady areas.

Philonotis marchica [Hedw.] Brid has a wide geographic distribution and is commonly found throughout North America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Throughout the Maritime provinces it is considered to be rare.

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