Moss Species Identification 1

Identifying Moss Sample 1
Hypnum Curvifolium 

Name: Hypnum Curvifolium   

Common name:  curveleaf hypnum moss
Family:  Hypnaceae

Collection Date:  9/6/16

Habitat:forest bed and rock surface. Under canopy of trees in forest.

Location: Hiram College woods

Description: Soft short leaves. Green and brown coloration. Small curved individual leaves with midrib.

Key Used: Karl B McKnight, 2013, Common Mosses of the Northeast

Keying Steps: 

Step 1: Determined moss was pleurocarpus.    
Step 2: Moss leave sickled shape with mid rib.
Step 3: Moss was found in forest and not submerged in any body of water.
Step 4: The shoots of the moss were not found to be swollen and the were leaves identified as flat and/or pleated. 
Step 5: Leaves closely bound to stem.
Step 6: The leaves were also curved but not in ringlets.
Step 7: The plant was found to be larger than 2 mm. 
Step 8: The shoots were creeping and tightly braided to one another.

All of this information led me to believe that the species of moss I had identified was in fact: Hypnum Curvifolium 

Figure 1: Hypnum Curvifolium Under Dissecting Scope. 

Figure 2: Another View of Hypnum Curvifolium Under Dissecting Scope.

Figure 3: View of Present Midrib in Leaf of Hypnum Curvifolium  

Links: http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HYCU2