This thick moss has spoon-shaped leaves, crowded on long stems, which give it a flattened appearance (A,B). The sporophytes have not yet been seen in this colony. This moss has a lush green color when wet, and light brown beneath (A). When dry it does not shrivel up as much as most of the other mosses do. The identification of this moss was confirmed with the help of Bill Zales.
This moss is found in our two nature centers at the base of large trees with rough bark, such as Cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) on the floodplains and Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) of the uplands. It is considered an uncommon species. The moss colony shown on this Cottonwood is still thriving two years after the tree has been toppled by wind.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.