Bryum argenteum
“silvery bryum”
Brym argentum. October 2, 2011. Morrow County, Ohio.
Brym argentum. November 5, 2011. Franklin County, Ohio.
Brym argentum sporophytes. November 5, 2011. Franklin County, Ohio.
Brym argentum. August 22, 2013. Franklin County, Ohio.
Barbula unguiculata and Bryum argenteum capsules
How to recognize Bryum argenteum: This moss tolerates city conditions and being walked on quite nicely. The soles of shoes that tread on it in its city habitat, sidewalk cracks, break off little bits of leaves and carry them to other sidewalk cracks. And if it is the right kind of crack, a new plant will develop from the bit of leaf. The leaves are held tightly to the stem and the tip of each leaf has no chlorophyll and is clear or hyaline. When you hold a colony of tightly packed little plants, each one short and julaceous, in your hand and turn it in the sunshine you can see light reflecting off these leaf tips. The leaves are about 1 mm long and under the microscope you can see the clear leaf tip, a single costa that does not reach the tip, and the square to rectangular cells at the base. One of the characteristics of Bryum is that the capsules are all bent over and nodding.
Where to find Bryum argenteum: This common weedy moss is found in disturbed areas, along paths, on rocks and soil.
