Star Moss

[Sphagnum]

I found a pretty cool species of star moss living in my backyard, also in my front yard. I haven't seen it in any of the forests around here, or anywhere except my property!



Doesn't look like much, does it? It has been growing attached to a certain tree for a few years probably. This morning, it was nice and open. Later in the day, it was dried up and closed. I got the bright idea to add water and within 5 minutes it all opened up nice and green.



From what I've seen around online, it appears closest to being a star moss. Moss is pretty much impossible to identify to the species without a microscope. Less difficult to identify to the genus, but since this isn't a widespread species, I doubt I'll be able to find any other info than that it is a star moss. Here's a closeup of the structure...



I did harvest quite a bit in January and it seems to have grown back strongly. If anyone has an idea of a genus, please feel free to shout it out!

[mossy]

Nice moss, don't know the genus.

[mosslover61]

dude, sweet bushes. That moss looks exceptional!

[peatmoss]

Perhaps Tortula ruralis? Difficult for me to tell without having samples to key over with a microscope. I suppose your best bet would be to find a local bryologist to help you, but not all Universities and Museums have them on staff so you will have a hard time getting to one.

[Sphagnum]

Nov 12, 2012 7:24:36 GMT -5 peatmoss said:

Perhaps Tortula ruralis? Difficult for me to tell without having samples to key over with a microscope. I suppose your best bet would be to find a local bryologist to help you, but not all Universities and Museums have them on staff so you will have a hard time getting to one.

This is Tortula ruralis from the side and it doesn't look too similar to this moss I found, but possibly in the Tortula genus...