#bryology

[myxomycota]

a developing slime mold on Polytrichum moss by Anne Iskogen, Sweden.

[mossinformed]

When people ask me how to get rid of the moss in their yard

[lichenaday]

The BLAM lichen of the year for 2024 is . . .

Normandina pulchella

*applause applause applause*

Normandina pulchella, aka beautiful mussel scales, is a squamulose, heteromerous lichen that grows in green-gray or blue-green, shell-shaped scales. It produces light green, farinose or granular soredia along the margins of the scales, and only rarely produces black perithecia. It can be found growing on bryophytes and other lichens, bark, and siliceous rock in mild, humid regions of every continent except for Antarctica. The reason N. pulchella was chosen to represent us all in the year 2024 because it is the comeback queen. Historical accounts showed a major decline in its populations throughout the 20th century due to worsening air quality due to pollution. But as air quality has improved over the past decades, N. pulchella has come back and is recolonizing its historic range! Its an emblem of resilience, recovery, and hope. It is not too late for N. pulchella. It isn't too late for change. We *can* make a difference! And we can come back from near disaster. So look to N. pulchella this year, friends. Become a fierce advocate for change, recovery, and growth, and for all the precious lil guys out there who need us to make the difference. Happy New Year, pals!

images: source | source | source

info: source | source | source

[gaynaturalistghost]

Always love seeing @neat-deadandlive-things ‘s valentines and thought I’d contribute!

[aster-isk-m]

There you go– sit down, breathe, and have some moss and lichen

[mosslovr]

i love you moss i love you liverworts i love you hornworts i love you nonvascular plants i love you bryophytes

[slugzill4]

mossy mazegill polypore

Cerrena unicolor

[grumpyfenris]

Probably too niche, but here's a cross section of a moss stem (Fissidens rigudulus var. rigidulus) I did that I'm proud of. Less than a cell thick!! With my own hands and a shitty razor blade!

Look at the stem cellular structure!! Fabulous!!

[lycomorpha]

Lichen.

Because lichen.

(Also some liverworts to keep the bryologists happy.)

[botanizing]

tundra texture tuesday

I have no idea what moss this is but it is so round and nice.

[myxomycota]

Elaeomyxa cerifera by Sarah Lloyd

[mossinformed]

I made my family pause Jurassic park bc there were cool lichens

[lichenaday]

Tortella inclinata

Shortleaf chalk moss, inclined twisted moss

Hey all, I have decided to transition to moss instead of lichens. I know this is a huge change and many of you will likely lose interest now that the focus of this blog has shifted so significantly, but I promise I will do my best to make moss as interesting as lichens. So please give a warm welcome to T. inclinata! This widespread, pioneer species grows on loose, calcareous substrates in sun-exposed habitats in cool-temperate regions. It has pale yellow-green stems and hooded, twisted leaves. It forms dense tufts up to 1 cm tall. This species is dioicous (has male and female parts on separate plant), and it forms curved ellipsoidal to cylindrical spore capsules in spring. So yeah, that's a moss for ya! Bryophytes are great and I totally like them more than lichens now.

(in case it isn't clear, this is an April Fool's joke and we will return to our regularly scheduled lichen posts tomorrow)

images: source | source | source

info: source | source | source | source

[gaynaturalistghost]

Ok yes, sure, Poison Ivy COULD make Parthinocissus quinquefolia (god I hope I spelled that right, Virginia Creeper) rip apart a building’s foundation for botanical crime reasons. It already can do that.

Or. She could make moss big. I know what I would be doing.

[v-spicata]

Apparently yesterday was National Moss Day. I discovered this when I accidentally joined a guided walk with the British Bryological Society people.

They were very nice and I ended up sketching one of their samples they brought which is apparently of Bryum capillare.

Anyway I've ordered a field guide now and hope to spend a bit more time staring very closely at trees in the future.

[aster-isk-m]

Be prepared that every hiking trip with me will take around 40% longer than the estimated time because I will be stopping at every pretty mossy stone and I will take too many pictures