The Biota of the Gordon Natural Area - Bryophytes
Bryophytes (non-vascular plants which include the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) have received relatively little investigation at the GNA. In 2007, WCU undergrad Spencer Ruston, under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Began, conducted a site-wide survey of bryophytes at the GNA, in which he noted 17 species. In 2009, undergrad Cindy Law, also under the supervision of Dr. Began, began another site-wide study of the GNA’s bryophytes. Although she didn’t finish this work, she did compile a photographic record of the eight species of bryophytes that she encountered. No additional work was done on bryophytes from that time until 2019, at which point GNA staff began photographing and collecting bryophytes with an aim towards create a more complete account of this biotic group at the GNA. The principal staff associated with this work are GNA Stewardship Manager Nur Ritter and GNA Student Intern Noah Long.
To date, 36 species of bryophytes, in 29 Genera, 23 Families, and 13 Orders have been noted at the GNA. This number is thought to significantly under-represent bryophyte richness at the GNA. Currently, we have numerous yet-to-be-identified species captured in photographs, and we hope to be able to use these to augment the species list. Because much of the bryophyte work at the GNA has employed photographs, this biotic group is extremely well-represented in our photo collection, with photos available for nearly nine-tenths (86.2%) of the known GNA species.
Note: the checklist is also available as a pdf
Ptychomitrium incurvum (Gnomes Hood Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Family: Ptychomitriaceae
Notes
Common Names: Gnome's Hood Moss; Incurved Grizzled Moss
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: C.J. Pasiche Lisboa (iNaturalist)
Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Gnome's Hood Moss (Ptychomitrium incurvum)
Gnome's Hood Moss (Ptychomitrium incurvum)
Aneura pinguis
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Aneuraceae
Notes
Common Name: Small Greasewort
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: S. Schuette (iNaturalist)
Noted By:
Comments:
Noted in two areas in the GNA: 1) a Swamp Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) swamp. Growing on twigs and on slightly elevated soil; and, 2) on a heavily-decayed log alongside a trail in mature, hardwood forest.
Images
Pellia (Pellia)
Pellia (Pellia)
Pellia (Pellia)
Pellia (Pellia)
Pellia (Pellia)
Lophocolea heterophylla (Variable-leaf Crestwort)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Geocalycaceae
Notes
Common Name: Variable-leaf Crestwort
Years Noted: 2007; 2009; 2019; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: C. Law; N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen
Comments:
Quite common at the GNA. This species and Frullania eboracensis are the two most commonly encountered Liverworts at the GNA.
Images
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla)
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla)
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla)
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla)
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla)
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla): Sporocarp
Variable-leaf Crestwort (Lophocolea heterophylla): Sporocarp
Frullania eboracensis (New York Scalewort)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Jubulaceae
Notes
Common Names: New York Scalewort
Years Noted: 2017; 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Seemingly, the most common leafy liverwort at the Gordon. Observed growing on the bark of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), White Ash (Fraxinus americana), Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and Red Maple (Acer rubrum).
Images
New York Scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)
New York Scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)
New York Scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)
New York Scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)
New York Scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)
Radula cf complanata (Flatleaf Scalewort)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Liverworts
Family: Radulaceae
Notes
Common Name: Flatleaf Scalewort
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Flatleaf Scalewort (Radula complanata)
Flatleaf Scalewort (Radula complanata)
Flatleaf Scalewort (Radula complanata)
Flatleaf Scalewort (Radula complanata)
Amblystegiaceae Indet 1 (No Common Name)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Amblystegiaceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: C.J. Pasiche Lisboa (iNaturalist)
Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Amblystegiaceae Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Anomodon attenuatus (Poodle Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Anomodontaceae
Notes
Common Names: Poodle Moss; Tree-skirt Moss
Years Noted: 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Poodle Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)
Poodle Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)
Poodle Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)
Poodle Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)
Brachytheciaceae Indet. #1. (No Common Name)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Brachytheciaceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Identified By: C.J. Pasiche Lisboa (iNaturalist)
Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Unidentified species of Brachytheciaceae
Unidentified species of Brachytheciaceae
Unidentified species of Brachytheciaceae
Unidentified species of Brachytheciaceae
Unidentified species of Brachytheciaceae
Bryoandersonia illecebra (Spoon-leaved Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Brachytheciaceae
Notes
Common Names: Spoon-leaved Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2019
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Spoon-leaved Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra)
Spoon-leaved Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra)
Spoon-leaved Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra)
Climacium dendroides (Northern Tree Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Climaciaceae
Notes
Common Names: Northern Tree Moss
Years Noted: 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Rivellini; N. Long
Images
Northern Tree Moss (Climacium dendroides)
Northern Tree Moss (Climacium dendroides)
Northern Tree Moss (Climacium dendroides)
Northern Tree Moss (Climacium dendroides)
Dicranella heteromalla (Fine Hair Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Dicranaceae
Notes
Common Names: Fine Hair Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Fine Hair Moss (Dicranella heteromalla)
Fine Hair Moss (Dicranella heteromalla)
Entodon seductrix (Seductive Entodon Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Entodontaceae
Notes
Common Names: Seductive Entodon Moss; Round-stem Entodon Moss; Cord Glaze Moss
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Fissidens adianthoides (Maidenhair Pocket Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Fissidentaceae
Notes
Common Names: Maidenhair Pocket Moss; Maidenhair Split-toothed Moss
Years Noted: 2009; 2019; 2020
Identified and First Noted By: Cindy Law
Also Noted By: Nur Ritter; Ariana Rivellini
Comments:
Very common in the GNA in a variety of habitats.
Images
Maidenhair Pocket Moss (Fissidens adianthoides)
Maidenhair Pocket Moss (Fissidens adianthoides)
Maidenhair Pocket Moss (Fissidens adianthoides)
Maidenhair Pocket Moss (Fissidens adianthoides)
Maidenhair Pocket Moss (Fissidens adianthoides)
Fissidens cf osmundoides (Fern Pocket Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Fissidentaceae
Notes
Common Names: Fern Pocket Moss
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Fern Pocket Moss (Fissidens osmundoides)
Fern Pocket Moss (Fissidens osmundoides)
Fern Pocket Moss (Fissidens osmundoides)
Funaria Indet
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Funariaceae
Notes
Year Noted: 2007
Identified By: S. Ruston
Physcomitrium pyriforme (Goblet Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Funariaceae
Notes
Common Names: Goblet Moss; Pear-shaped Urn Moss
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Goblet Moss (Physcomitrium pyriforme)
Grimmia Indet
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Grimmiaceae
Notes
Year Noted: 2007
Identified By: S. Ruston
Schistidium apocarpum Group (Schistidium Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Grimmiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Schistidium Moss; Prickly Cannikin Moss
Years Noted: 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Noted growing on boulders in a few areas of the Gordon.
Images
Schistidium Moss (Schistidium apocarpum)
Schistidium Moss (Schistidium apocarpum)
Schistidium Moss (Schistidium apocarpum)
Schistidium Moss (Schistidium apocarpum)
Schistidium Moss (Schistidium apocarpum)
Hedwigia ciliata (White-tipped Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Hedwigiaceae
Notes
Common Names: White-tipped Moss; Medusa Moss; Ciliate Hedwigia Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
White-tipped Moss (Hedwigia ciliata)
Hypnum imponens (Brocade Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Hypnaceae
Notes
Common Names: Brocade Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2019
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)
Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)
Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)
Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)
Platygyrium repens (Oil Spill Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Hypnaceae
Notes
Common Names: Oil Spill Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2009; 2010; 2019
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: C. Law; G. Hertel; N. Ritter
Comments:
A very common species at the GNA.
Images
Oil Spill Moss (Platygyrium repens)
Oil Spill Moss (Platygyrium repens)
Oil Spill Moss (Platygyrium repens)
Leucobryum albidum (White Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Leucobryaceae
Notes
Common Names: White Moss
Year Noted: 2007
Identified By: S. Ruston
Leucobryum glaucum (Pincushion Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Leucobryaceae
Notes
Common Names: Pincushion Moss
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
Plagiomnium ciliare (Saber Tooth Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Mniaceae
Synonyms: Mnium affine
Notes
Common Names: Saber Tooth Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2009; 2019; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: C. Law; N. Ritter
Comments:
A very common moss at the GNA.
Images
Saber Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium ciliare)
Saber Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium ciliare)
Saber Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium ciliare)
Saber Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium ciliare)
Saber Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium ciliare): showing the male gametophytes
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Baby Tooth Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Mniaceae
Synonyms: Mnium cuspidatum
Notes
Common Names: Baby Tooth Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2019; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen
Images
Baby Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum)
Baby Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum)
Baby Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum)
Baby Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum)
Baby Tooth Moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum)
Rhizomnium punctatum (Red Penny Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Mniaceae
Notes
Common Names: Dotted Thyme Moss; Red Penny Moss; Dotted Leafy Moss
Years Noted: 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Dotted Thyme Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)
Dotted Thyme Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)
Dotted Thyme Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)
Dotted Thyme Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)
Dotted Thyme Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)
Orthotrichum cf stellatum (Stellate Orthotrichum Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Orthotrichaceae
Notes
Common Names: Stellate Orthotrichum Moss
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Stellate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)
Stellate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)
Stellate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)
Stellate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)
Orthotrichum strangulatum (Drummond Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Orthotrichaceae
Notes
Common Names: Drummond Moss
Year Noted: 2019; 2020.
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Growing on boulders in the Gordon. Noted occasionally in the forest south of Stadium Road.
Images
Drummond Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)
Drummond Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)
Drummond Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)
Drummond Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)
Drummond Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)
Atrichum altecristatum (Wavy Starburst Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Polytrichaceae
Notes
Common Name: Wavy Starburst Moss
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Seemingly, fairly common in the GNA. In shaded areas, often near streams.
Images
Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altecristatum)
Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altecristatum)
Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altecristatum)
Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altecristatum)
Wavy Starburst Moss (Atrichum altecristatum)
Atrichum angustatum (Lesser Smoothcap Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Polytrichaceae
Notes
Common Names: Lesser Smoothcap Moss; Slender Starburst Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2009; 2019; 2021
Identified and First Noted By: Spencer Ruston
Also Noted By: Cindy Law; Nur Ritter
Images
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Atrichum undulatum (Wavy Catharinea)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Polytrichaceae
Notes
Common Names: Wavy Catharinea
Years Noted: 2007; 2019
Identified By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Wavy Catharinea (Atrichum undulatum)
Wavy Catharinea (Atrichum undulatum)
Wavy Catharinea (Atrichum undulatum)
Wavy Catharinea (Atrichum undulatum)
Wavy Catharinea (Atrichum undulatum)
Polytrichum ohioense (Ohio Haircap Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Polytrichaceae
Notes
Common Names: Ohio Haircap Moss; Oak Haircap Moss
Years Noted: 2007; 2020
Identified By: S. Ruston
Noted By: S. Ruston
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichum ohioense)
Pottiaceae Indet
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Pottiaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
(Pottiaceae)
(Pottiaceae)
(Pottiaceae)
(Pottiaceae)
Thuidium allenii (Fernmoss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Thuidiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Fernmoss
Year Noted: 2007
Identified By: S. Ruston
Thuidium delicatulum (Delicate Fern Moss)
Group: Bryophytes
Type: Mosses
Family: Thuidiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Delicate Fern Moss
Years Noted: 2009; 2019
Identified By: C. Law
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Very common throughout the forested areas of the Gordon.
Images
Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)