Polytrichum

Polytrichum commune

The Widertonmoose ( Polytrichum ) are a genus of mosses. The German name Haircap derives from " the resistance - do " that, since different species have been used against evil spells.

Features

It is relatively strong mosses, form the loose, high grass. Because of their size include some species of the genus to which, particularly struck by the laity. They are also in Japanese moss gardens to the dominant species.

It is characterized by the construction of the leaves. The leaf base is wide scheidig and consists of only a thin layer of cells. In the front part of the leaf, the leaf rib fills almost the entire leaf blade. On the top side of the midrib are slats.

A special feature in these mosses is that the stems have two types of vascular tissue, one for water, one for assimilates.

The capsule is on a long (3-5 cm) Seta ( the capsule stalk). It is clear 4- edged. The apophysis (capsule neck) is sharply separated from the rest of the capsule by a deep constriction. The spores are up to about 12 microns in size. In the immature state, the capsule of a hairy, usually light brown cap, the calyptra covered. They have also introduced the names of women's hair moss or hair cap mosses of the genus.

All mosses of the genus are dioecious.

Special

Previously Widertonmoose were used as mattress fillings and for sealing cracks in wooden houses. Also in the boat building joints were sealed with these mosses, as the leaves have good swelling capacity.

Dissemination

The genus of Widertonmoose is distributed worldwide. In general, they prefer acidic soils such as forest floors or Moore.

Systematics and species ( selection)

From the genus Polytrichum ( in the broad sense, according to previous view ) 1971 by GLSmith were separated due to several types of peristome characteristics and the newly created genus Polytrichastrum GLSM. provided. After this splitting remain in Polytrichum (in the narrow sense) world's 39 species.

In Central Europe, more common types are:

• Ordinary Widertonmoos ( Polytrichum commune)
• Juniper Widertonmoos ( Polytrichum juniperinum )
• Polytrichum piliferum
• Steifblättriges maidenhair ( Polytrichum strictum )
• Polytrichum uliginosum

More frequent former Polytrichum species, which are now being counted among Polytrichastrum are:

• Alpine Widertonmoos ( Polytrichum alpinum ) new: Polytrichastrum alpinum
• Beautiful Widertonmoos ( Polytrichum formosum ) new: Polytrichastrum formosum
• Polytrichum longisetum new: Polytrichastrum longisetum