Specimen 14: Plagiomnium cuspidatum

Figure 1: P. cuspidatum on a crowded log; species indicated with red arrows

Figure 2: P. cuspidatum hidden in a clump taken from a log.

Figure 3: P. cuspidatum is about 12 mm tall and arcocarpus. Leaves are attached all the way down of the stem.

 (Magnification x8.4)

Figure 4: Teeth on a leave are most prominent near the tip. (Magnification x40)

Figure 5: Midrib of P. cuspidatum is very obvious. Leaves are round and ovate. (Magnification x38.4)

Name: Plagiomnium cuspidatum
Phylum: Bryophyta
Family: Mniaceae
Common Name: Baby toothed moss
Collection Date: 10/08/2015
Habitat: On decaying log in a maple-beech forest
Location: James H. Barrow Field Station, Hiram, Ohio
Description: Acrocarpus, dark-colored moss, with large ovate, toothed leaves about 3 mm long. The midrib is very noticeable and its stem is thick. No branches, only one single stalk, about 1.2 cm tall.
Collector: Linden Glaze

Key used: McKnight, Karl B. et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Texts, New Jersey.

Keying steps:
Key Features Path to the Keys (pg. 16):
Key Feature 1: Growth Form.... acrocarp
Key Feature 2: Leaf Shape.... ovate acrocarp
Key Structure 3: Midrib..... ovate acrocarp with midrib... Key III pg. 350

KEY VIII Acrocarps with ovate leaves 
1. Plants 1-15 cm tall.... 6
6. Leaf margins toothed at least near the tip.... 7
7. Leaves attached along entire length of stem.... 8
8. Leaf margin toothed near tip but toothless in basal half of leaf.... 11
11. Leaves with pale thickened border.... 13
13. Teeth along leaf margin are single.... Plagiomnium cuspidatum