Species #15: Tangled Thread Moss

Hygroamblystegium varium

Figure 1. Leaf of Hygroamblystegium varium. Note the midrib.

Figure 2.  Stem and Leaves of Hygroamblystegium varium

Figure 3. Hygroamblystegium varium leaf

Phylum: Bryophyta
Family: Amblystegiaceae
Species: Hygroamblysteigium varium
Common name: Tangled Thread Moss
Collection date: 9/5/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found growing on a moist rock among other other moss and liverwort species. 
Description: This species was found growing exclusively on a moist rock along other moss and liverworts. It is a smaller pleurocarpous moss with a well defined midrib. The particular specimen collected is young and very small with stems rarely exceeding 1 cm, Under the microscope leaves are nearly translucent (apart from the midrib). The leaf tips are pointed, while the rest of the leaf is smooth. 
Key used: McKnight, K. B. et al. (2013.) Princeton field guides: Common mosses of the northesast and Appalachians. Princeton, NJ; Princeton University Press.

Pleurocarps with ovate leaves with midrib, p. 365
1. Plants not pinnately, but sparsely or irregularly branched (not feather or fernlike)...
10. Stems either branched nearly to base or sparsely  branched, but without a "trunk and crown"...
13.Plants on various usbstrates in moist to dry habitats (usually not dripping wet when collected)...
19.Plants midsized to large (branches mostly longer than 2 cm and wider than 1 mm); leaves 1-3 mm long...
20. Leaves more elongate, not close to circular, not or gently cupped; branches cylindrical to somewhat flatteneed, not plump...
21. Leaf tips pointed...
22. Plants similar wet or dry (leaves may spread slightly more when wet); leaves not leated...
23. Capsule with conical lid; branches not flattened; leaf edges smooth...
24. Capsuules strongly contracted below mouth when dry; capsule stalk smooth, without tiny bumps...

Hygroamblystegium varium

For more information on Hygroamblystegium varium please review the following links:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250099158
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Amblystegium_varium.pdf