Polytrichum piliferum
“bristly haircap moss”
Polytrichum piliferum at oak openings region of NW Ohio. June 27, 2013. Male plants.
Polytrichum piliferum on oak openings region of NW Ohio. June 27, 2013.
Polytrichum piliferum at Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve, Fairfield County, Ohio.
September 7, 2014. Plants are dry and leaves pressed to the stem.
Polytrichum piliferum at Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve.
Fairfield County, Ohio. September 7, 2014.
How to recognize Polytrichum piliferum: This is the smallest of the haircap mosses found in Ohio. It is similar to Polytrichum juniperinum in that the leaf edges are inrolled over the lamellae, but the leaf tip has a long hyaline hairpoint. This is a good field character. The lamellae cells along the top edge are similar to those of Polytrichum juniperinum. When moist, the leaves open up into little green stars. When dry, the hyaline hairpoints are often the most obvious feature of this plant in the field.
Where to find Polytrichum piliferum: This moss is often found in full sunlight on sand or acid rocks.
