#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day #21 Developing Capsules

I found this tiny bit of moss, unidentified as yet, but interestingly enough, it's sporophytes showed three stages of development. There was a tiny one that still had it's cover or calyptra. A larger one showed the calytra just coming off. The older capsules were naked but still had their lids or operculum. 

From the "Zoomy Files": you can see both the capsule with the calyptra coming off and the older ones that have already lost their covering.

This is the smallest capsule with its covering called the calyptra.

Ink and watercolor in my Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal. 

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day #14 Rock Tuft Moss #BimblingAboutTheBryophytes

I noticed the rocks had spiky green tufts. They turned out to be Rock Tuft Moss, a Ulota species, perhaps Ulota hutchinsiae. 

The guide describes them as "dry pincushion-like tufts" on rocks.

Up close I could see that the leaves were held close to the stems because they were in a dry state. There were two kinds of capsules. The older ones with no calyptras or lids showed their teeth or peristomes in a reflexed position. The new sporophytes had punk-style spiky hairy hoods.

Ink and watercolor in my Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal. 

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day #13 Train Track Moss

Thelia hirtella, commonly called Train Track moss, on a tree in the nearby woods. It's easy to see how this moss got its common name. I like this moss because it is easy to distinguish from the others growing on the tree trunk.

Close-up with Zoomy.

Thelia hirtella on tree trunk in April. 

What's a Zoomy?

April is Poetry Month: A Bryophyte Bimble

A Bryophyte Bimble

In the woods here about

I found the mossy four:

One covering a rock,

Another blanketing a log,

A third skirted a tree,

And the last in a bog.

However, upon closer inspection,

I believe there to be many more!

(To Bimble is to walk at a leisurely pace.)

I'm using these reference guides to help me identify the many different species of moss and liverworts in my woods.

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day #10 Moss: Smooth Green Calyptra

Day #10 Moss sporophyte with a smooth green calyptra.

  

Perhaps an Atrichum species?

With Zoomy you can see the capsule inside the calyptra.

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day#7/100 Moss: Little Fern

This moss that looks like a tiny fern is called - wait for it - a fern moss.

Thuidium, aka fern moss, on the left. Note the branching pattern.

The leaves on the stem are larger than the leaves on the branches. (Zoomy) 

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day#6/100 Lichen: Apothecia of Physica aipolia

This lichen was actually a lot of fun to draw! I found it on a fallen branch in the woods.

Perhaps a Rosette Lichen on bark. Physica aipolia?

  

I think the dark cup-like features are apothecia or spore bearing structures.

Days #1-6 Ink and watercolor in my Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal.

 

 Zoomy Picture

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day#5 Moss: Polytrichum Sporophyte Capsule

Old Polytrichum sporophyte capsule with 64 tiny peristome teeth and ridges in March. (Zoomy)

Note the actual size of the sporophyte on the page next to the drawing! Days #1-5 Ink and watercolor in Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal.

Hairy Cap Moss/Polytrichum with new sporophytes in March.

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day#3 Moss: Mnium punctatum

   

Day#3 This may be Mnium punctatum because the nearly round leaves are large (for a moss!).

This is NOT a Zoomy close-up! You can see how large the leaves are.

  

This is the above photo enlarged. Each leaf's midrib is clearly visible.

Day#3 Ink and watercolor in my Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal. 

What's a Zoomy?

#MyCanterburyCoddiwomples #The100DayProject Day#1 Moss: Atrichum undulatum

Atrichum undulatum/Catharinea Moss

Closer view of the wavy leaf edges.