bryaceae
Additional information about the Bryaceae family is HERE.
Bryum
Bryum argenteum Hedwig - Like its close relative Bryum lanatum, this species has hyaline leaf tip giving the plants a whitish or silver (hence the specific epithet -argenteum) cast. Unlike B. lanatum, the leaves of this species are closely imbricate and appressed to the stem (julaceous) making the stems appear much tighter. Both species are found on soil or rock substrates and often inhabit cracks in concrete pavement. As evidenced by the dime in the picture, this moss has a very small stature.
Bryum
Bryum lanatum (P. Beauvois) Bridel - This is a fairly small, yet very distinctive moss. The white coloration of the leaves is a result of the numerous hyaline leaf tips which are characteristic of this species. These leaf tips are closely clustered, as are the plants, and therefore give a white (hoary) tone to the plants. At just a few millimeters high, this moss would be easily missed if it were not for the hoary leaf tips.
climaciaceae
Climacium
Climacium americanum Brid. - This species is one of the larger (taller) species found in Texas. Frequently referred to as a “dendroid” growth form, the plants do look like miniature trees. Often several (3-4) inches tall, this species is found in wet sites along creek banks, roadside ditches, and floodplain swales where it grows on soil, tree bases, and decaying logs or stumps.
dicranaceae
Dicranum
Dicranum condensatum Hedwig. -
fissidentaceae
Additional information about the Fissidentaceae family is HERE.
Fissidens
Fissidens fontanus (B. Pyl.) Steud. - The genus Fissidens is a rather unique genus in that the leaves are distichous (oriented in the same plane) instead of the typical spirally imbricate nature of most mosses. Within the genus, this species is unique in that it is a true aquatic and the leaves are very long and linear to linear-lanceolate. Most of the other species in the genus (in Texas) have much shorter and broader leaves. This specimen was photographed from a spring in Jeff Davis County in far West Texas.
grimmiaceae
Grimmia
Grimmia sp. - The hyaline leaf tips of this species give the plants a white cast. In this species the excurrent costa extends well beyond the leaf lamina (blade) tip into the long hyaline awn. This is different from the two Bryum spp. above in which the upper part of the leaves (and the excurrent awn) are hyaline. Nearly always found on rocks and similar hard surfaces, the species can form large, dense mats of closely appressed stems in circular to hemispherical clumps.
leucobryaceae
Additional information about the Leucobryaceae family is HERE.
Leucobryum
Leucobryum albidum (Brid. ex P. Beauv.) - This cushion forming moss is rather common in forests and woodlands across much of the eastern third of Texas. Rarely with sporophytes present, the light greenish-white gametophytes are easily distinguished from most other species in the region. A frequent inhabitant on soil and decaying tree trunks (including Pinus sp.), this moss has leaves that are several cell layers thick which gives the plants a "whitish” cast - hence the name leuco (white).
leucodontaceae
Leucodon
Leucodon julaceus (Hedw.) Sull. - Typically growing on lateral tree branches, tree trunks, and occasionally rocks, this species is one of the most common mosses in Texas. When growing on tree branches (Quercus, Carya, Juglans, and other hardwoods) it is a frequent companion of ressurrection fern (Pleopeltis sp.). When dry, the leaves are appressed and tightly imbricate, when wetted, the leaves quickly spread out nearly perpendicular to the stem (squarrose) and are deeply concave. Sporophytes are almost always present and short to long exserted beyond the perichaetial leaves.
POLYTRICHACEAE
Additional information about the Polytrichaceae family is HERE.
Polytrichum
Polytrichum commune Hedw. - Along with Climaceum americanum, this is one of the largest species (in terms of vertical stature) inTexas. Infrequently found across much of the eastern Pineywoods, the gametophytes resemble tiny pine seedlings. However a closeup examination of the leaves will quickly differentiate between the two species. Leaves in the Polytrichaceae have long rows of lamellae on the upper surface of the leaves. The density and cell morphology of the structures is useful in distinguishing between genera and species.
Atrichum
Atrichum sp. -
Pogonatum
Pogonatum brachyphyllum (Michx.) P. Beauv. - One of three genera in the Polytrichaceae in Texas, this moss is a common inhabitant of bare soil, especially during the damp winter/spring in Texas. The gametophytes are typically somewhat isolated (not gregarious) from each other and the persistent protonema (the green algae-like spots in the picture) is persistent well after sporophytes have been produced.
pottiaceae
Pleurochaete
Pleurochaete squarrosa (Brid.) Lindb. - This acrocarpous moss is locally abundant, but infrequently encountered, in much of the Edwards Plateau and other sites where it occurs perched on top of the litter layer (very often the mass accummulation of Juniperus leaves) and a limestone substrate. Frequently in large spreading mats only an inch or so tall. When dry, the plants are a dirty brownish to greenish-yellow with variously contorted leaves. Upon wetting, the leaves spread out quickly (within seconds) and turn a bright yellow-green color.
sphagnaceae
Additional information about the Sphagnaceae family is HERE.
Sphagnum
Sphagnum perichaetiale Hampe-
theliaceae
Additional information about the Theliaceae family is HERE.
Thelia
Thelia lescurii Sullivant - One of three species of Thelia in Texas, this attractive moss typically resides on soil (sandy) and rock substrates. The tightly imbricate leaves are moderately to deeply concave when wet and have a single papilla on each cell. These papilla are branched at the distal end and resemble the stigma of some vascular plant pistils. The stems when desiccated (as in the picture) have a dull greenish-gray cast to them and are vermiculate (having a wormy appearance).
thuidaceae
Additional information about the Thuidaceae family is HERE.
Thuidium
Thuidium delicatulum (Hedw.) Schimp. - The twice pinnate stems of this very attractive moss make it a relatively easy one to identify. Frequently found on soil, decaying logs, rocks, and tree bases. This species can be very productive in terms of biomass and commonly forms extensive mats in the forests of East Texas. The leaves are covered in papilla, and the stems and branches usually have a dense covering of paraphyllia - which also have papilla.