UK native Moss identification please.

[Greengeek]

Hi

I work at a horticultural nursery and we have large IBC containers always filled with water where this moss grows fully submerged as well as at the surface and clinging to the sides (totally underwater), half submersed and terrestrial growing out the water onto any surface which is permanently moist. It grows in full sun and shade, it’s very tough stuff and I’d love to know what species it is?

Its growth pattern changes depending on growing conditions.

Photos of terrestrial growth.

Photos of aquatic growth.

As it emerges from the water onto ‘land’ :

 

[Courtneybst]

It almost looks like Amblystegium Serpens, but the moss kingdom is hefty so it's only a guesstimate.

​

 

[Wookii]

You need Darrel for this one . . . @dw1305

. . . It’s a nice looking moss though!

 

[Greengeek]

Just to add…my best guess is Amblystegium riparium Stringy Moss but it’s so hard to tell them apart!

Thanks everyone.

 

[Greengeek]

Few weeks under water in a admittedly dark area of my tank.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Amblystegium serpens

Definitely <"could be">. I'd guess that it is <"Leptodictyum riparium">. <"Drepanoclados aduncus"> would be another possibility. You would need to look at the <"microphyll (leaf) structure under a microscope">.

Unfortunately the scientific names of these mosses aren't often the <"names used in the aquatic trade">.

I work at a horticultural nursery and we have large IBC containers always filled with water where this moss grows fully submerged as well as at the surface and clinging to the sides (totally underwater), half submersed and terrestrial growing out the water onto any surface which is permanently moist. It grows in full sun and shade, it’s very tough stuff and I’d love to know what species it is?

It is a good find, whatever species it might be.

cheers Darrel

 

[Greengeek]

Hi all,

Definitely <"could be">. I'd guess that it is <"Leptodictyum riparium">. <"Drepanoclados aduncus"> would be another possibility. You would need to look at the <"microphyll (leaf) structure under a microscope">.

Unfortunately the scientific names of these mosses aren't often the <"names used in the aquatic trade">.

It is a good find, whatever species it might be.

cheers Darrel

Thank you! I’ll do a little more research with the species suggestions and plan on growing it out in a couple of different aquariums under different conditions (CO2 high light and another low tech low light) and see how it develops.

I’ve got a good couple of square feet harvested so should make a nice little project.
Thanks again.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I’ll do a little more research with the species suggestions

You might be able to do it <"from leaf (microphyll) shape">, but really need a microscope to be able to look at:

• The shape of the leaf apex.
• The presence, or absence, of a central nerve, and the
• shape of the leaf cells, particularly the basal cells.

The Acrocarpous moss (below)

Might be <"Bryum pseudotriquetrum">, mainly because there aren't many tufted (acrocarpous) mosses that grow in wet places.

cheers Darrel