Specimen #14: Candle Wax Lichen

Ahtiana sp.

Fig. 1 Upper cortex of Ahtiana  with soredia present

Figure 2. apothecia of Ahtiana

Figure 3. K- upper cortex of Ahtiana

Figure 4. rhizines of Ahtiana

Figure 5. Ahtiana

Phylum: Ascomycota
Family: Permeliaceae
Genus: Ahtiana
Common name: Candle Wax Lichen
Collection date: 11/7/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: Found on a fallen twig in Hiram Ohio
Description: This foliose lichen was found tightly adhered to a downed twig. The upper cortex is a green-gray (fig. 5) with soredia  prominent under a dissecting scope (fig. 1). Brown apothecia of various sizes cover much of the surface of the lichen (fig. 2). The upper cortex is K- and made up of narrow lobes(fig. 3). The lower cortex and rhizines are pale in color(fig. 4).
Key Used: Showan, R. E. & D. G. Flenniken. (2004). The Macrolichens of Ohio. Columbus, Ohio; Ohio Biological Survey.

1. Thallus foliose...
2. Thallus some shade of gray, green, yellow-green, brown, or black; not as above...
4. Thallus thick or thin, not gelatinous when wet; white medullary fibers usually apparent; color various...
6. Rhizines present from lower surface...
11. Parithecia absent; apothecia, if present, saucer-shaped and superficial on the surface of the thallus...
13. Thallus not umbilicate, attached to the substrate by a mat of short, numerous rhizines; on rock, soil, or bark...
15. Thallus contains green algae...
19. Medulla white or whitish, sometimes stained pale buff or pink due to aging, chemicals, or weathering...
24. Thallus various, but without paw-shaped, or fist-shaped lobe tips...
26. Lower surface with sparse to moderate or occasionally numerous rhizines, variable in color and length but not forming a uniform, brown, velvety nap...
28. Upper cortex K- or K+ weak yellow (atronorin); lobes variable in width...
29. Lower surface with a cortex throughout; lobes narrow or broad; K+ or K-...
30. Thallus without pores, may be uniform or variously cracked, ridged, or white-maculate...
35. Thallus soe shade of gray, gray-green, greenish, brown, or gray-brown...
36. Thallus some gray, gray-green, or greenish in color...
38. Lobes generally narrow and linear, 0.5-6 mm wide, apically obtuse; thallus usually adnate to appressed...
42. Under-surface white to tan...
43. Apothecia and/or pycnidia common, marginal; lobes ascending...

Ahtiana sp.

For more information on Ahtiana please review the following links:
http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=52023
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3242678?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://books.google.com/books?id=YyS-hS15Ty4C&pg=PA149&dq=ahtiana&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAGoVChMIuLG5_tyTyQIVRSQmCh2Mtgs2#v=onepage&q=ahtiana&f=false

Specimen #12 Parmotrema margaritatum

Parmotrema margaritatum

Figure 1. Upper cortex of Parmotrema margaritatum

Figure 2. Soredia on lobed margins of parmotrema margaritatum

Figure 3. K- upper cortex of Parmtrema margaitatum

Figure 4. K+ Medulla of Parmotrema margaritatum

Figure 5. Rhizines of Parmotrema margaritatum

Phylum: Ascomycota
Family: Parmeliaceae
Species: Parmotrema margariatum
Collection date: 10/22/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This lichen was found growing on the bark of tree on the Hiram College Campus.
Description: This is a greenish-gray lichen found growing on trees on the Hiram College Campus (Fig. 1). The upper cortex is K- (Fig. 3). The medulla is white but is K+ (turning yellow) as shown in figure 3. Rhizines are a dark brown in color and absent along the margins of the lower surface  and prevalent elsewhere (Fig. 5).  The edges of the lichen are not attached to the bark substrate unlike the center of the lichen, which is well secured to the tree. A knife or razor bland is needed to collect the specimen without damage, On the upper surface, the wide lobe margins are covered in soredia (fig. 2).
Key Used: Showman, R. E. & D .G. Flenniken. (2004). The macrolichens of Ohio. Colombus, Ohio; Ohio Biological Survey.

1. Thallus foliose...
2. Thallus some shade of gray, green, yellow-green, brown, or balck; not as above...
4. Thallus thick or thin, not gelatinous when wet; white medullary fibers sually apparent; various colors...
6. Rhizines present from lower surface (may be massed as a felty mat or umbilicate)...
11.Perithecia absent; apothecia, if present, sauce-shaped and superficial on the surface of the thallus...
13. Thallus not umbililcate, broadl attached to the substrate with scattered rhizines; on rock, soil, or bark...
15. Thallus contain green algae...
19. Medulla white or whitish sometimes stained pale buff or pink due to aging, chemicals, or weathering...
24.Thallus various, but without paw-shaped or fist-shaped lobe tips...
26. Lower surface with sparse to moderate or occasionally numerous rhizines, variable in color and length but not forming a uniform, brown, velvety nap...
28. Upper cortex K- or K+ weak yellow (atranorin); lobes variable in width...
29. Lower surface of the cortex throughtout; lobes narrow or broad; K+ or K-...
30. Thallus without pores, may be uniform or varisouly cracked, ridged, or white-maculate...
35. Thallus some shade of gray, gray-green, greenish, brown, or gray-brown...
36. Thallus some gray, gray-green, or greenish in color...
38. Thallus broadly foliose, the lobes 4-20 mm wide, apically rounded; thallus usually loosely attached with lobes tips somewhat ascending...
39. Lower surface with marginal bare zone free of rhizines (although cilia usually present); upper surface smooth to wrinkled, but without maculae or patterned cracking...
Parmotrema, p. 146
1. Corex some shade of gray, usinic acid absent, isidiate or not...
3. Thallus sorediate...
4. Soralia marginal or submarginal, cilia and upper cortex various...
5. Upper surface not white-maculate pattern...
7. Medulla K- or K+ turning red, salzinic acid present...
8. Medulla K+ yellow turning red, salazinic acid present, UV-...

Parmotrema margaritatum
For more information on Parmotrema margaritatum please review the following links:
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PAMA21
http://www.waysofenlichenment.net/lichens/Parmotrema%20margaritatum
http://eol.org/pages/6569677/overview

Specimen #11: Crispy Tuft Moss

Ulota crispa

Figure 1. leaf of Ulota crispa

Figure 2. Leaf tip of Ulota crispa with midrib

Figure 3. Capsule of Ulota crispa

Figure 4: Ulota crispa  with reddish stems

Figure 5. Ulota crispa tuft

Figure 6. Ulota crispa when wet

Figure 7. Ulota crispa capsules

Phylum: Bryophyta

Family: Orthotrichaceae

Species: Ulota crispa

Common name: Crispy Tuft Moss

Collection date: 10/29/2015

Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey

Habitat: This specimen was found on the bark of a recently fallen tree at the James. H. Barrow Field Station.

Description: This is a minuscule specimen is acrocarpous. The tuft has a circumference equivalent to a U.S. nickel consisting of tightly packed branches (fig. 5 & 6). At most, this moss is 5 mm tall including the height of the sporophyte. The gametophyte is just 2 mm tall. The lance shaped leaves are only a few mm long with a well defined midrib that ends just before the leaf tip(fig. 1 & 2). The stems have a slight reddish hue, while the rest of the plant is a darker green. When dry, the leaves curl into the stem, but the leaves spread out into a near star pattern when wet (fig. 5 & 6). The capsules rise above the gametophyte and are easily visible. The capsules have slight striations and teeth (fig. 3, 5, & 7).    

Key used: McKnight, K. B., et al. (2013). Princeton field guides: Common mosses of the notheast and Appalachians. Princeton , NJ; Princeton University Press.

Acrocarps with lance shaped leaves, p. 342
1. Plants darker green, yellow green, or brownish black, shoots loosely associated or if densely packed then not in domed mounds; leaves flat or folded but  not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at base of leave...
3. Plants on soil, rocks, trees, or logs in dry areas, or if in wetter areas, not submerged in water; leaves not folded at base...
4. Leaf surface not rippled or wavy when wet...
9.Leaves <4 mm long...
21. Leaves spread in various directions or barely diverging from stem when wet; plants lacking brood branchlets...
22. Plants 0.2 - 2 cm tall...
34. Plants growing on bark of trees (above tree base)...
35. Shoots in clusters, not connected by creeping stems...
36. Capsules on stalks well above leaves, stalks clearly visible...
38. Leaves tightly curled and contorted when dry; capsules cylindrical, with 8 ribs when dry, mouth as broad as capsule...

Ulota crispa

For more information on Ulota crispa please review the following links:
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ULCR2
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Ulota_crispa-bruchii.pdf
http://flnps.org/native-plants/ulota-and-orthotrichum-tree-cushion-mosses

Specimen #10: Bird's Nest Fungus

Cyathus striatus

Figure 1. Cyathus striatus Note the fuzzy exterior and striated interior of the peridium.

 Figure 2. Top view of Cyathus striatus. Note the grayish egg connected to the side of the 'nest'.

Figure 3. Young Cyathus striatus with 'lid' still present

Figure 4. Cyathus striatus growing in the mulch

Phylum: Basidiomycota
Family: Nidulariaceae
Species: Cyathus striatus
Common name:Bird's Nest Fungus
Collection date: 9/2/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found in a shady mulch pile in Bonney Castle Garden (Hiram, OH. It was fairly dry.
Description: This specimen has multiple stages of development as shown above. Figure 3 shows a young peridium that still has it's 'lid'.  This species has a fuzzy-like exterior (fig. 1& 3) and a striated interior (fig. 1). It is commonly found on mulch (as the case of this specimen). White to gray eggs (peridioles) are inside the ' nest' and are attached to the side (fig. 2).
Key used: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms demystified: A comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (2nd ed.). Berkley: Ten Speed Press.

Bird's Nest Fungi
Nidulariales p. 778
1. Not as above; fruiting body cylindrical to mug or cup-shaped when mature, containing more than one egg (unless all but one have been expelled)...
2. Not as above; fruiting body typically with a "lid" when very young, the nest usually well formed and persistent; eggs may or may not be imbedded in a mucilage...
4. Eggs white to gray, brown, or black, often (but not always) attached to side of nest by a minute cord or short stalk, not imbedded in a mucilage; sides of nest vertical to tapered...
6. Interior of nest longitudinally striate (with distinct radical grooves)...

Cyathus striatus

For more information on Cyathus striatus please review the following links:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/cyathus_striatus.html
http://www.first-nature.com/fungi/cyathus-striatus.php
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/may2006.html

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

Specimen #8: Corn horn peat moss

Sphagnum subsecundum 

 Figure 1. Apical head of Sphagnum subsecundum not the 'twisted' appearance and branching fascicles.

Figure 2. Cellular structure of Sphagnum

Phylum: Bryophyta
Family: Sphagnaceae
Species: Sphagnum subsecundum
Common name: Corn horn peat moss
Collection date: 9/10/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found in the Triangle Lake Bog in thin mats.
Description: This moss has the bunching fascicles typical of Sphagnum. Although the plant is primarily a light green, the tips of the branches have a  brownish hue.
Key used: McKnight, K. B. et al. (2013). Princeton field guides: Common mosses of the northeast
and Appalachians. Princeton, NJ; Princeton University Press.

Peat Moss p. 376
1. Branch leaves with margins flat to somewhat incurved tip long-pointed, not hooded; stem cross-section without conspicuous cortex, less than 1/4 diameter of stem; branches slender, stringy or spiky...
5. Clusters of 5 or fewer branches attached at one point; apical head large or small but not as dense as pom-pom; stems stiff to flexible; plants typically grow as cushions, mats, or carpets either in forests or open habitats such as bogs, fens, or sedge meadow...

6. Branch leaves with apical half gradually narrowed and not bent outward from base (some species may have leaf tips reflexed outward when dry)...

7. Plants green, yellowish, or brownish with no traces of red...

10. Apical head with curved branches and thus appearing twisted when viewed from above...

Sphagnum subsecundum

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=spsu9

http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Sphagnum_subsecundum.pdf

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200000830

Specimen #7: Wavy Starburst Moss

Atrichum altercristatum 

Figure 1. Atrichum altercristatum. Notice the size of the leaves, wavy ridges, and obvious midrib.

Figure 2. Atrichm altercristatum star-shape pattern

Phylum: Bryophyta
Family: Polytrichaceae
Species: Atrichum altercristatum
Common name: Wavy Starburst moss
Collection date: September 2015
Collector: Willa Scharlu
Habitat: This specimen was found in a lawn area under an oak tree in South Russel Ohio.
Description: This specimen is acrocarpous with a defined midrib. When wet, the spirally arranged leaves spread out spread out to create a star shape pattern when viewing from above, and the individual leaves are become wavy.
Key used: McKnight, K. B et al. (2013). Princeton field guides: Common mosses of the northeast and Appalachians. Princeton, NJ; Princeton University Press.

Acrocarps with lance-shaped leaves p. 342
1. Plants darker green, yellow green, or brownish black, shoots loosely associated or if densely packed then not in domed mounds; leaves flat or folded but not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at base of leaf...
3. Plants on soil, rocks, trees, or logs in dry areas, or if in wetter areas, not submerged in water; leaves not folded at base...
4. leaf surface rippled or wavy when wet...
5. Leaf midrib conspicuous to leaf tip (extra strips of tissue running along their length, visible, as green and white stripes under 20x hand lens)...
6. Midrib fills less than 1/4 width of upper leaf; leaves 0.7-2 mm wide...
7.Plants 1-3 cm tall;  lower stems often matted with rust-colored fuzz...

Atrichum altercristatum

For more information on Atrichum altercristatum please review the following links:
http://www.fnanaturesearch.org/index.php?option=com_naturesearch&task=view&id=1397
https://nhgardensolutions.wordpress.com/tag/wavy-starburst-moss/