The year of moss: day 14

I was lacking moss-inspiration today, and couldn’t decide what species to write about. So, I went to iNaturalist, and decided I’d write about the first moss species that came up under recent observations. It was Pogonatum subulatum. This moss is in the same family as Polytrichum (see days 7 and 9), and you may notice some similarity in its appearance. Pogonatum subulatum differs from Polytrichum in the colour and shape of its leaves, which are very dark green, and widest at the sheath, slightly narrower just above the sheath, widen back out in the middle of the leaf, then narrow to the tip. The leaves also have quite strongly toothed margins. Pogonatum subulatum occurs throughout Aotearoa and some parts of Australia. It is usually found on disturbed, clay-ey soil, for example in road cuttings, slips or soil disturbed by the roots of upturned trees in forests.
Cuteness: 6/10
Distinctiveness: 9/10
LMR: 6/10

Posted on October 30, 2024 12:33 AM by fuligogirl