Moss Specimen

Date2007

Dimensions0.5 x 6 x 11.5 cm (3/16 x 2 3/8 x 4 1/2 in.)

Object numberHF.2012.49.47

DescriptionA sample of Neckera pennate Hedw. moss, light green in colour with feather-like branches. Stems are long and dark green colour with short branches covered in short triangular leaves positioned alternate each other. Stems darken towards the base where fragments of organic matter (tree bark?) are adhered to stem ends. Reverse side is brown-green in colour.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Order: Leucodontales
Family: Neckeraceae
Genus: Neckera
Species: Neckera pennate Hedw.

Narrative

Collected on October 24, 2007, by Glen Kelly from Souris Line Road Townshend Woodlot, PEI (46°25'53.22"N, 62°16'29.88"W. Datum NAD83). Collected growing on an old growth sugar maple with coarse woody debris. Associated plants: Beech, Canadian yew (taxus canadensis, Striped maple (acer pensylvanicum).

Neckera pennate Hedw., is a striking moss with flat leaves and grows in flat mats. The shoots are flagelliform and grow ascending and vertical to the substrate. Stem and branch leaves are rotated in such a way that the leaf surface always lies on one plane. The leaves tend to be tapered at the tip with a wide base and are often asymmetrical. It is commonly found on the bark of hardwood trees, specifically sugar maples and is an indicator of late successional and old-growth forests. It is less commonly found growing on rocky outcrops.

Geographically Neckera pennate is found throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa as well as Australia and New Zealand. It is common within the Maritime provinces, but is less common in Prince County, PEI.

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