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Post by John Pappus on Oct 8, 2015 19:02:46 GMT
Hi, I've been inspired by the earlier posts re mosses and have just received a decent book for their Id hopefully; It's a beauty, full of very good photographs and even more informative textual descriptions. This book is keyed in the usual 'couplet' arrangement. My first try was to get a moss from the garden and set the book on it! Well, really rather quickly the book identified the moss as the common 'Brachythecium.rutabulum' or 'Rough-Stalked Feather-Moss'... It looked correct to me, but this is my first ever attempt to identify a moss...  Here's a picture of a leaf from the plant;  book_cover by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr  moss_leaf_1 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr |
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Post by John Pappus on Oct 8, 2015 19:14:40 GMT
I've had a quick scout around the garden and there are numerous moss species I think, here are 6 pictures of some, they're probably not all different but one thing's for sure, mosses are really interesting and beautiful. A great project for those Winter months I think... I'd love the big Flora ( The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland) by Smith & Smith, but at almost £100 it's not going to arrive on my doorstep anytime soon..  (when I broached the subject my darling Wife gave me what may be described as an unambiguous and very descriptive reply... :  This is the beauty that's on my wish-list... Big Daddy Moss Flora ws_moss_trio_1 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr  ws_moss_trio_2 by Wabi Gallery, on Flickr |
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Post by stigofthedump on Oct 9, 2015 8:08:02 GMT
Glad you have found the joys of bryophytes John Your ID looks sound to me. Once I have found a plant of interest I always scout around to see if I can locate a specimen with a sporophyte, it helps no end. Not always possible, granted, but worth a little time. I have Smith, a truly great work and my go to flora. A compound microscope is needed though to use the keys. The BBS Field guide is a great starting point John, it is the one we use on BBS meetings and quite reliable. Afraid there is not enough detail in your images for me to pass comment, do you have access to a printer/scanner? They can be utilised to take quite good images of mosses. Vince |
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Post by meteorquake on Oct 9, 2015 9:36:06 GMT
That's fantastic!
I'm gradually getting into mosses too.
I have some little lids on my windowsill where I can put little bits of moss and keep them growing beside me whilst I familiarise myself with them.
I also picked up a 50-200x mini microscope (not much bigger than a hand-lens) that can be useful out and about.
david
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Post by meteorquake on Oct 9, 2015 9:46:56 GMT
Incidentally, I use the reverse procedure for getting into a class (eg grass, moss) -
I use the maps to make a list of all the species which are common or semi-common in my area, familiarise myself with their features and differences, and then go out and look for the common ones, and after those are done, the semi-common ones.
That then gives me a baseline to learn the rest :)
d
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Post by John Pappus on Oct 9, 2015 9:57:31 GMT
Glad you have found the joys of bryophytes John ............deletion for brevity here................. I have Smith, a truly great work ............deletion for brevity here........... Vince Vince! You are the one that has inspired me as mentioned in my post! It's your fault! Now, about your Smith - you don't really neeeed it old chap, pass it on to a poor struggling mossy-type such as me.... you know it makes sense! |
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Post by faith on Oct 9, 2015 11:27:46 GMT
Yes, well done Vince. I had thought that my attempt – at your suggestion – at getting people to key out mosses had fizzled out, but it seems people really are interested, especially knowing we have a bryophyte expert on hand to keep us all right!
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Post by stigofthedump on Oct 9, 2015 15:15:46 GMT
Glad you have found the joys of bryophytes John ............deletion for brevity here................. I have Smith, a truly great work ............deletion for brevity here........... Vince Vince! You are the one that has inspired me as mentioned in my post! It's your fault! Now, about your Smith - you don't really neeeed it old chap, pass it on to a poor struggling mossy-type such as me.... you know it makes sense! Tut tut John, you wouldn't really want to deprive me of my sanity would you vince. |
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Post by stigofthedump on Oct 9, 2015 15:25:25 GMT
Incidentally, I use the reverse procedure for getting into a class (eg grass, moss) - I use the maps to make a list of all the species which are common or semi-common in my area, familiarise myself with their features and differences, and then go out and look for the common ones, and after those are done, the semi-common ones. That then gives me a baseline to learn the rest d A great approach David, one that I advocate entirely. Above all we should strive to make the ID process as enjoyable and easy as possible. Vince |
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Post by stigofthedump on Oct 9, 2015 15:31:44 GMT
Yes, well done Vince. I had thought that my attempt – at your suggestion – at getting people to key out mosses had fizzled out, but it seems people really are interested, especially knowing we have a bryophyte expert on hand to keep us all right! No expert here Faith, just an enthusiast. Once the dreaded workload eases I wanted to do a quick 'run through' of some common species to see if we could generate some interest. Vince |
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Post by John Pappus on Oct 9, 2015 16:40:01 GMT
Yes, well done Vince. I had thought that my attempt – at your suggestion – at getting people to key out mosses had fizzled out, but it seems people really are interested, especially knowing we have a bryophyte expert on hand to keep us all right! Fizzled-out never! Waiting for backup more like (books....). I love the ID process. Keep 'em coming. |
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Post by John Pappus on Oct 9, 2015 16:43:01 GMT
Incidentally, I use the reverse procedure for getting into a class (eg grass, moss) - I use the maps to make a list of all the species which are common or semi-common in my area, familiarise myself with their features and differences, and then go out and look for the common ones, and after those are done, the semi-common ones. That then gives me a baseline to learn the rest d A great methodology, targeted study is always the way, grasses are another fascinating and challenging area that I've recently spread my investigative-tendrils into... |
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Post by John Pappus on Oct 9, 2015 16:46:03 GMT
No expert here Faith, just an enthusiast. Once the dreaded workload eases I wanted to do a quick 'run through' of some common species to see if we could generate some interest. Vince Come-on Vince - give us more! I'm a coiled-spring armed with a new book! |
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(when I broached the subject my darling Wife gave me what may be described as an unambiguous and very descriptive reply... :
