Tortula acaulon

Tipped gloss moss ( Phascum cuspidatum )

The Tipped gloss moss ( Phascum cuspidatum ) is a form rich moss from the family of Pottiaceae. In the literature, numerous forms ( varieties ) and subspecies are described. The species belongs to the kleistokarpen mosses. Its capsules remain closed even after maturity. The spores contained in it are released only after weathering the capsule wall. The spores can survive for long periods in the capsules.

Distribution and occurrence

The Tipped gloss moss grows on base- lime-rich, moist, even on longer dry pioneer locations such as open earthy embankments and fields. Its distribution covers the entire temperate Northern Hemisphere stocks in Europe, Western Asia and North America and parts of North Africa.

Features

Growing in small yellow- green fat pads or herds Tipped gloss moss is usually around 4 to 5 millimeters, sometimes up to 10 millimeters high. Its leaves are sitting at the top of the plant relatively easy, in the lower part they are against standing somewhat. When dry, they are curved and tend to close together. The ganzrandigen leaves are oblong lanceolate with short exiting, straight center rib. The leaf edges often appear bent back. Rarely, glass hair are found. The sheet also has mostly papillary lamina cells.

As of late summer, seated, dark brown to reddish - brown colored, eikugelig shaped, provided with a blunt tip capsules, which are usually sunk to full maturity in the moss plant appear. The capsule stalk ( the seta ) is usually very short. The capsules bring forth papillary spores, which are only 0.025 to 0.04 mm in diameter. In the young stage, the capsules have a cap-shaped calyptra.