Figure 1-4: T. delicatulum capsule, T. delicatulum, T. delicatulum branching and individual leavesName: Thuidium delicatulum
Common Name: Delicate fern moss
Family: Thuidaceae
Collection Date: 14 November 2016
Habitat: Forest soils, rotting logs, rocks in damp, shady spaces
Location: James H. Barrow Field Station
Description: Resemble delicate ferns and form matts of yellow green. Stems are 2-3x pinnate with densely packed, triangular shaped leaves.
Key Used:
McKnight, K. B., Rohrer, J. R., Ward, K. M., Perdrizet, J. W. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians.
Keying steps:
p. 16 growth form – pleurocarp; leaf shape – ovate; Midrib – yes; Key VIII p. 365
1. plants pinnately... 2
2. Stems 2-3x pinnate... 3
3. Stem leaves not pleated... Thuidium delicatulum
I appreciate that you attempted to use the compound scope for leaf assessment, but these pictures unfortunately are not close up enough to see details- the microscope camera available in lab should be used for these.
ReplyDeleteSince you have a sporophyte, use this to confirm- even if not a part of the keying steps, you can go online to confirm with other sites. This should also be presented with a better close up view.
ReplyDeleteOverall: You have a good variety, but your pictures need to be better magnified for supporting your keying steps. I think you used good logic, but it is hard to verify with the pictures presented. Nice work!
ReplyDelete