Step Moss
Hylocomium splendens
Description: Robust, shiny plants up to 20cm long, stems are twice pinnately branched, with abundant paraphyllia (small green filaments) (looks similar to a feather moss). Annual growth increments are visible as distinctive individual arched segments ("steps") arising just before the tip of the previous year's growth. Sporophytes not uncommon, inclined capsules, smooth, curved and cylindrical.
Ecology: Common in low and middle elevations forming a dominant groundcover. Common in western red cedar and hemlock dominated forests in humus rich soils. Prefers calcium enriched so replaced by Sphagnum on acidic and big red on drier acidic soils
Notes: This one was found near the edge of Carlson Lake, Sunshine Coast, BC in a mountain hemlock, and cedar (red and yellow) forest.
Big Red Stem
Pleurozium schreberi
Description: This large, pretty reddish olive green moss has a conspicuous smooth red stem. It is a large moss growing 7-16cm high with widely spaced branches that are irregularly once pinnate. The stem and the size are its distinguishing characteristics.
Ecology: Prefers drier acidic conditions and poor soils, though it may also be found in bogs and scrub forest. It is often replaced by Kindbergia (the beaked mosses) in lowland coastal rainforests though still may be presentNotes: This one was found in the edge of a forest not far from an acidic peat bog at middle elevation, August 2001.
Oregon Beeked Moss
Kindbergia oregana
Description:Large yellow- or orange-green plants with 5-30cm long stems that are creeping or arched and once pinnate with closely and evenly spaced branches. Stem leaves widely spreading. Sporophytes are frequent and grow from the side of the stem on small black stalks.
Ecology: Common in lowland coastal rainforests where it forms mats on logs, tree bases and humus.
Notes: This one was found at Chapman Creek October 5, 2001.
Douglas Neckera
Neckera douglasii
Description: Large olive or light green, glossy, irregularly branched plants on descending stems 5-30cm long. Leaves are flattened and strongly transversely wavy. Sporophytes are often present and grow out from the side of the stem on short stalks producing upright and oblong capsules.
Ecology: Common in lowland and montane forests, forms large hanging mats on the trunks and branches of trees.
Notes: This one was found growing on a maple next to the ocean in a sheltered bay, August 2001.
Menzie's Neckera
Metaneckera menziesii
Description: Glossy olive green descending plants on pinnately branched stems that grow to 20cm long. Covered with branched green filaments (paraphyllia) and small narrowly tapered branchlets. Leaves are transversely wavy, like Douglas' Neckera but Menzie's has a strong single midrib that is lacking in N. douglasii.
Ecology: Abundant on coniferous trees and calcium rich cliffs at low elevations, found on cliff faces farther inland.
Notes: This one was found in a sheltered bay in Sechelt Inlet, August 2001.
Cat Tail Moss
Isothecium myosuroides
Description: Glossy or dingy green plants; stems form long, narrowly tapered strands hanging from branches or forming creeping mats. Leaves are up to 2mm long, upright, elliptic and sharp pointed, edges sharply toothed. Sporophytes are common, with brownish stalks, capsules short-cylindrical, peristome well developed, double.
Ecology: Very common from sea level to middle elevations in coastal BC, often forms a continuous cover on trees in some of our coastal rainforests, as shown above.
Badge Moss
Plagiomnium insigne
Description: A beautiful moss with large showy plants 3-8 cm tall, with wide oval or egg shaped leaves that are spreading and glistening when wet, as shown above, leaves have sharp teeth to the base, and appear almost translucent when wet. Produce 3-6 Sporophytes at the tip of each plant with smooth, hanging cylindrical capsules.
Ecology: Common on humus rich soils in moist and shady lowland forests, common on soils at the edge of trails through shady forests, often in lush mats, a very pretty moss.
Notes: This very large specimen was found at the edge of a most mixed forest trail in Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, at sea level, in Sechelt, BC, June 2001. Its height was 10cm most other specimens in the area were between 4-8cm.
Black Tufted Rock Moss
Racomitrium aciculare
Description: A somewhat taller moss, 2-6cm tall, blackish below and green on the tops, unbranched with 1.5-3mm long leaves, spreading and curved backwards when moist and upright and pressed to stem when dry. Widely spaced blunt teeth across the tip.
Ecology: Found on wet rocks in the spray zone of creeks and waterfalls, rocks are usually periodically wet.
Notes: These ones were found in the splash zone of Chapman Creek, BC, summer 2002, they are common along the creek edge.
