Specimen #9: Nut Moss

Diphyscium foliosum

Figure 1. Diphyscium foliosum

Figure 2. Midrib of Diphyscium foliosum

Figure 3. Leaf of Diphyscium foliosum with papillae

Phylum: Bryophyta
Family: Buxbaumiaceae
Species: Diphyscium foliosum
Common name: Nut moss
Collection date: 10/8/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found on a damp partially sunny rock face along a stream at the James H. Barrow Field Station.
Description: The most prominent feature of this plant, the 'nut' capsule measures only 4-5 mm tall.
Key used: McKnight, K. B. et al. (2013). Princeton field guides: Common mosses of northeast and Appalachians. Princeton, NJ; Princeton University Press.

Acrocarps with tongue shaped leaves p. 354
1. leaves arranged in more than two rows  and coming out all around stem; wet plants not flat or not resembling ferns...
6. plants less than or equal to 1.5 cm tall...
8. leaves with rounded tips;capsules 3 mm long, shaped like a wheat kernel, stalkless...

Diphyscium foliosum

For more information on Diphyscium folisoum please review the following links:
http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/bfna/F27/27-09Diphysciaceae.pdf
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Diphyscium_foliosum.pdf
http://bryophytes.plant.siu.edu/imDiphysciumFoliosum.html