Ohio Bryology et Lichenology, Identification, Species, Knowledge

Newsletter of the Ohio Moss and Lichen Association. Volume 7 No. 1. 2010.

Ray Showman and Janet Traub, Editors [email protected], [email protected] ______

EDITORS’ NOTE number of hairs along the midrib, etc., etc. Don Flenniken founded the OMLA That does not make each leaf a different newsletter, OBELISK, in 2005 and single species. handedly produced the first three issues. In 2007 he accepted me as co-editor and There are, also, those who see no we expanded the newsletter as a digital differences at all. A genus, to him or her, publication. This year, Don has decided to is just a box in which to stuff his species step down as editor but certainly not as a until the lid will no longer close. At the contributor (as evidenced by this issue). time I first became interested in lichens Janet Traub has agreed to be the new co- fifty years ago, I first arrived at the editor and we welcome her contributions. conclusion that, when it came to lichens, Thank you Don for your great ideas and there was only one, highly variable, your hard work! - RES and JT species. Truth be known, however, most of the lichens at that time could be placed in LEFT HAND CORNER the genera Cladonia, Parmelia, Lecidea, Lumpers and Splitters Lecanora, or Usnea. Then as the saying For those of us whose interest is in things goes, the rest is history. that move or grow, we tend to look at those things in order to discriminate I suppose we will always have “Splitters” differences, on one hand, and similarities, and “Lumpers”. The splitters are on the other. Our judgement of likeness is constantly removing specimens from the expressed in families and genera. Those box, while the lumpers are stuffing them judgements of differences are often back in. Sometimes it is nearly impossible expressed in species. And, just like the to keep up with it all. mosquito bite, that’s where the rub comes in. Someone once said, “God made families and genera; man makes species”. It all There are those who look for anything, begs the question posed from a time much however minute, in order to call it earlier: something new. One of the principles that Shall mortal man be more just than God? Darwin put forth is that no two things are Shall a man be more pure than his maker? ever exactly alike. For example, no two -Job IV:17- leaves on the same tree are exactly the same size, have the same number of teeth along the margins, or have the same

1 Yet, in Thessalonians I, 5: 21, we are hundreds of miles. Thus it can sometimes commanded to, “Prove all things. Hold pop up far from its established range. It fast to that which is true.” And so, will remain to be seen if more individuals whether you are a lumper or splitter, it can be found in Ohio. falls on you to justify your conclusion. - Don Flenniken I guess the moral of this story is that you never know what you might find close by. NEW LICHEN FOR OHIO Get out there and look; be observant and Where should one look for new state be curious. - Ray Showman records? Remote places that are seldom visited? Mysterious hollows with high HUMMINGBIRD NEST LICHENS rocky sides? Or maybe a permit-only Most naturalists and birders know that nature preserve. Any of these could have some birds, notably the Ruby-throated a new state record lichen or moss – but so Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) and could your own back yard! And that is Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila literally where this new record was found. caerulea), use lichens to camouflage their One morning while replenishing my nests. Both species build their nests on backyard bird feeders I noticed several small branches, frequently in the axil of lichens on the ground, dislodged from the two branches. The completed nest tree canopy by foraging nuthatches. Most resembles a knot and is undetectable from were common species but one was not more than a few feet away. familiar so I took it inside for examination. It turned out to be Usnea cornuta, not reported for Ohio.

Hummingbird nest camouflaged with lichens. Photo by Jim McCormac

Although the lichen camouflage of these Usnea cornuta. Photo by Ray Showman nests is well known, we could find no references to the species of lichens used. This species is a small, tufted fruticose With this in mind, nest specimens were lichen with branches constricted at the requested from the Ohio State Museum of base, giving them an inflated appearance. Biodiversity, the Cleveland Museum of Lichens of North America shows a spotty Natural History, and other sources. These distribution with populations in the Smoky were examined with the aid of a dissecting Mountains and in New Mexico. It is also microscope, and the lichens incorporated reported to be common in coastal Maine. on the nests were identified to the extent This lichen has soredia, microscopic possible. In most of these old specimens, propagules that can be windborne for the lichens did not retain their original

2 living color but had faded to a uniform All of the hummer nest lichens share browish-gray color. However, several characteristics. They are all identification of the lichens was possible common foliose lichens, present in most based on lobe size and shape, surface Ohio counties; they all grow on twigs and characteristics, the presence of cilia, and branches, as well as the trunks of trees; undersurface color. and none are tightly appressed to the bark, at least at the lobe tips. It stands to reason Fourteen hummingbird nests were a hummingbird would choose a nearby examined. Of these, 11 were from various lichen to camouflage her nest. It is also locations in Ohio, two were from apparent that the lichens used were species Pennsylvania with one from Indiana. All which could be removed by the tiny bill of of the nests were camouflaged with tiny a hummingbird. Other common twig and bits of lichen. These were exclusively the branch lichens either have very tiny lobes lobe tips of lichens rather than pieces from (Physcia millegrana), or are tightly the center of the thallus. The size was appressed and not easily removed (Physcia fairly uniform, around 3-4 mm on a side. aipolia and Physcia stellaris).

Lichens found on the hummer nests Twelve Blue-gray Gnatchatcher nests, all included Parmelia sulcata, the Hammered from various locations in Ohio were Shield Lichen – 12 nests; Punctelia sp., examined. These were also heavily Speckled Shield Lichens – 7 nests; shingled with bits of lichen lobe tips. The Flavoparmelia caperata, Common size of the lichen bits was somewhat Greenshield Lichen – 9 nests; Parmotrema larger, around 4-6 mm on a side. The sp., Ruffle Lichen – 1 nest; and same species were found on the Myelochroa aurulenta, Powdery Axil- gnatchatcher nests with the exception of bristle Lichen – 1 nest. Of these lichens, Myelochroa aurulenta which was absent. Parmelia sulcata was by far the most Parmelia sulcata was again a favored prevalent, both on the number of nests and material, but Flavoparmelia caperata and as the percent occurrence on nests. This is Parmotrema sp. were used in greater a small to medium sized foliose lichen percentage on some gnatcatcher nests. with relatively narrow, strap-shaped lobes. These two species have broader lobes than Parmelia sulcata and the choice of these species may reflect the preference for slightly larger lichen pieces. Otherwise, the general characteristics detailed above for the hummingbird nest lichens also apply to the gnatcatcher nest lichens. - Ray Showman and Jim McCormac

"There are no passengers on Space Ship Earth...we are all crew members" - Marshall McLuhan Parmelia sulcata Photo by Ray Showman

3

A FASCINATING SHOW Polytrichum piliferum IN NORTHWEST OHIO Oh those lichens are a fascinating show; Although Polytrichum piliferum is They’ll captivate your interest don’t ya reported from 12 Ohio counties, the only know; record for northwest Ohio is from Lucas You can find them in most places, County. Here P. piliferum grows on the Though they take on many faces; sandy soils of the Oak Openings region. It Oh those lichens are a fascinating show! is readily recognized in the field by leaves with long, clear hairpoints and by its Oh I see some crusty lichens on a post; occurrence in dry, open sandy areas, They are harder to identify than most; where it grows among grasses or under There might be some Lecanora, small trees, often with mosses such as Some Buellia and Psora; Ceratodon purpureus, and lichens, Oh I see some crusty lichens on a post! including Cladonia cristatella, forming a biological soil crust. Oh I see some leafy lichens on a tree; I’d bet there’s some Parmeliaceae; We can key them out tomorrow, If some K, C, P we borrow; Oh I see some leafy lichens on a tree!

Oh I see some shrubby lichens on the ground; They’re also found on trees and rocks around; Our Ohio has a bounty, Fruticose in every county;

Oh I see some shrubby lichens on the P. piliferum with developing sporophytes ground! (November 2010). The plants are mostly brownish in this photo due to recent dry Oh those lichens are a fascinating show; weather, but the clear hairpoints of the You can see them almost everywhere you leaves are evident whether the plants are go; moist or dry. Photo by James Toppin Look on trees and soil and outcrops, Sometimes even city sidewalks; Three other Polytrichum species occur in Oh those lichens are a fascinating show! the Oak Openings region, where they are fairly easy to distinguish by habitat: - Ray Showman P. commune (wet to mesic open areas), P. ohioense (woods, common), and This poem can be sung to the tune of a P. juniperinum (dry open woods, not popular campfire song. See if you can common). P. piliferum is also much figure out which one. smaller: the leafy plants are typically an inch tall or less. Another aid to recognition with a hand lens is the basic leaf shape: P. commune and P. ohioense have a flat leaf,

4 while P. juniperinum and P. piliferum (For information on the habitats of the Oak have the upper leaf edges folded inwards Openings region, visit to cover the upper surface of the leaf. www.oakopenings.org or www.metroparkstoledo.com, under “Oak Openings Preserve.”).

In the morning we collected on the muck soils of the Muck Farm wet sedge meadow (a mostly open area with a few shrubs) and on sandy soils in the adjacent forest areas. In the afternoon, after lunch at nearby Providence Dam Metropark on the Maumee River, we moved to an oak woodland site, the South Seed Orchard. This was a generally drier site, with low dunes and swales, providing a sharp Typical masses of P. piliferum under small contrast between dry and wet habitats trees in the Oak Openings region. Photo by (including vernal pools). It is typical of James Toppin most of the Maumee State Forest land, other than the Muck Farm and several P. piliferum is possibly present in other conifer plantations. Our foray to Henry northwest Ohio counties that have Oak County yielded 61 moss species and 8 Openings habitat (Fulton, Henry, and liverworts. These include new county Wood counties).We didn’t find it on our records for 43 mosses. recent foray to Henry County, but we were in areas not suited to it (woods and wet Lichens are not evenly distributed across prairie). Any dry open areas with sandy Ohio. The hilly, unglaciated counties of soil are potential sites for this species in eastern and southern Ohio contain many northwest Ohio. - Jim Toppin more species than the flatter, agricultural counties of northwestern Ohio. This is HENRY COUNTY SUMMER FORAY due both to the amount and kinds of The 2010 Summer Foray was held on June habitat present and the past collecting 19 in Henry County. See the last page of effort. Henry has been one of the more this issue for a photo of participants. heavily collected northwestern counties Located in the northwest corner of Ohio, with 34 recorded species of macrolichens Henry County is predominantly prior to this Foray (see the number of agricultural with 91% farmland. We species per county at visited two sites in Maumee State Forest, www.ohiomosslichen.org). which is one of the few sizable areas of public land in Henry County. The state The Muck Farm and South Seed Orchard forest is in the northeast corner of the were searched for lichens but proved to be county, situated on the primarily sandy fairly poor lichen habitat – shady, dense soils of the Oak Openings region, which woods with no exposed soil or rocks. contains a remarkable concentration of Thus, the Foray lichen list for Henry rare vascular plants and rare ecological County was augmented by visiting more communities. The sand is a remnant of open sites in the State Forest: Horseman’s Lake Warren, which preceded Lake Erie. Area, Lutheran Youth Center, Pine Access

5 Area and Migrant Rest Center. Several Bryoandersonia illecebra N X other areas in the county were also visited: Bryum argenteum X Texas Cemetery, Napoleon Cemetery and Bryum lisae var. cuspidatum X Maumee Riverlook and Canal (US 24, ca. Bryum pseudotriquetrum N X 3 miles west of Providence Park). With Callicladium haldanianum X these additional sites, a list of 25 Campylium chrysophyllum N X macrolichens and 14 crustose species was Campylium stellatum N X compiled. This included 13 new Ceratodon purpureus X macrolichen records. The microlichens Climacium americanum N X are as yet so poorly known that no attempt Dicranum polysetum N X was made to determine county records. Dicranum scoparium N X

Drepanocladus aduncus N X Two of the macrolichen species deserve Entodon cladorrhizans N X mention. This is only the second report of Entodon seductrix X Physciella melanchra in Ohio (the first Eurhynchium hians N X was the 2009 OMLA Summer Foray in Darke County). It is expected that Fissidens adianthoides N X additional searching in the western Haplocladium microphyllum N X counties of Ohio will turn up more records Haplocladium virginianum X for this species. Ramalina americana is a Helodium blandowii N X fairly uncommon fruticose lichen but the Hygroamblystegium tenax N X Henry County collection is almost Hypnum curvifolium N X certainly a hitch-hiker on nursery stock Hypnum lindbergii N X X (see the 2009 OBELISK for an article on Hypnum pallescens N X hitch-hiking lichens). Leptodictyum riparium N X - Ray Showman and Jim Toppin Leskea gracilescens N X X Leucobryum albidum N X Henry County Bryophytes collected Leucobryum glaucum N X during the foray. Locations are the Orthotrichum obtusifolium N X Muck Farm (MF) and the South Seed Orthotrichum pumilum N X Orchard (SS); N = New county record. Plagiomnium ciliare N X Bryophyte Name - Mosses M F SS Plagiomnum cuspidatum X Amblystegium serpens X Plagiomnium rostratum X Amblystegium varium X X Plagiothecium cavifolium X Anomodon attenuatus N X Plagiothecium denticulatum N X X Anomodon rostratus X Plagiothecium laetum X X Atrichum altecristatum N X X Platygyrium repens X X Atrichum angustatum N X Polytrichum commune N X Atrichum crispulum N X Polytrichum juniperum N X Atrichum tenellum N X Polytrichum ohioense X Aulacomnium palustre N X X Pylasiadelpha tenuirostris X Barbula unguiculata X Pylasiella selwynii N X Brachythecium acuminatum N X Rhizomnium punctatum N X Brachythecium rivulare N X Rhynchostegium serrulatum N X X Brachythecium rutabulum N X Sematophyllum adnatum N X Brachythecium salebrosum N X Tetraphis pellucida N X

6 Thuidium delicatulum N X Julella fallaciosa Liverworts Lecanora dispersa Calypogeia fissa X Lepraria lobificans Calypogeia muelleriana X Pertusaria pustulata Cephalozia lunulifolia X Pseudosagedia cestrensis Lophocolea heterophylla X Pyrrhospora varians Nowellia curvifolia X Verrucaria nigrescens Pallavicinia lyellii X Pellia epiphylla X Wanted (Alive) Riccardia latifrons X Although it is fairly widely distributed across the cooler regions of North Summer Foray Lichens. N = New America, Europe and Asia, “luminous County Record (for macrolichens only). moss,” also called “goblin’s gold,” or Macrolichens “cave moss,” Schistostega pennata is a Candelaria concolor great rarity in Ohio, and is about as unique Cladonia caespiticia N as a plant can be. The only species in its Cladonia cylindrica family (Schistostegaceae), luminous moss Cladonia macilenta N grows in deep dark crevices in mineral, Flavoparmelia caperata usually acidic, soil in caves, banks, animal Hyperphyscia adglutinata N burrows, and upturned tree roots. It takes Myelochroa aurulenta a prepared eye to find it, the trick being to Parmelia sulcata catch sight of an eerie golden-green glow Parmotrema reticulatum N from “goblin’s gold” deep hidden within a Phaeophyscia adiastola N dark recess, best seen when sunlight enters Phaeophyscia hirtella N at a steep angle around dawn or dusk. The Phaeophyscia pusilloides N glow is actually caused by a cat’s eye-like Phaeophyscia rubropulchra reflection from special light-concentrating Physcia adscendens lens-like cells on the protonema. Phycsia americana Physcia millegrana A moss protonema is a threadlike stage in Physcia stellaris the life cycle that develops from the Physciella chloantha N germination of a spore. The leafy Physciella melanchra N gametophyte , i.e., what we’d normally Physconia detersa N call a “moss,” develops from buds on the Punctelia rudecta protonema. Normally, the protonema is a Punctelia subrudecta N short-lived transition to the gametophyte, Ramalina americana N to which it gives a photosynthetic “jump Xanthomendoza ulophyllodes N start.” By contrast, the Schistostega Xanthomendoza weberi N protonema is persistent and long-lived, an Microlichens (Crustose) apparent adaptation for life in sheltered Arthonia caesia conditions where enhanced light-gathering Caloplaca arenaria capacity is required. (Our few other Caloplaca feracissima mosses with a persistent protonema, Caloplaca flavovirescens Pogonatum pensylvanicum in the Caloplaca holocarpa Polytrichaceae and the tiny ephemeral Candelariella xanthostigma moss genus Ephemerum in the Catillaria nigroclavata Ephemeraceae do not live in the dark, but

7 are nonetheless required to augment their biology station. Here’s a photo of a stem photosynthetic capabilities because they from that 35 year-old specimen. specialize in growing rapidly on open disturbed sites.) Another exceptional feature of the Schistostega protonema is that it sometimes produces fragmenting asexual reproductive structures (gemmae), 3-4 cells in length, that are sticky and have been observed attached to the legs of mites.

The Schistostega gametophyte too is a wonderful oddity. It’s an acrocarp (cushion moss) consisting mostly of individual upright sterile shoots less than 1 cm tall, bearing, in two ranks, about a dozen leaves that are confluent at the base and decurrent. This gives the plant a somewhat feather-like appearance, the basis for the specific epithet pennata. Unlike some other notable gemmiferous cave-dwelling cryptogams such as the ferns Vittaria appalachiana (Appalachian gametophyte) and Trichomanes intricatum (weft fern), which only exist as weird little A featherlike stem of Schistostega. Photo gametophytes, luminous moss indeed by Bob Klips sometimes produces (nearly leafless) fertile stems, and then sporophytes. According to the updated A Catalogue and Interestingly the sporophyte has some Atlas of the Mosses of Ohio, luminous features, including sticky spores and a moss is known from only two adjacent tendency for the seta to continue counties in the northeast: Portage and elongating even after capsule dehiscence, Geauga, and both are “square records,” that have been interpreted as possible i.e., presently known only from literature indicators of arthropod-mediated spore reports. At least one of these reports, dispersal. perhaps the earliest, and likely authored by the originator of both the county records, I’ve seen this moss only once, a thrilling is a 1919 paper in Ohio Journal of Science moment during the summer of 1975, when by Edo Claassen entitled “Mosses of I had the privilege of taking a bryophyte Several Ohio Counties” that summarizes ecology course in the Adirondacks from “20 years (of) excursions (that were) one of New York State’s greatest undertaken now and then, mostly in naturalist educators, Edwin Ketchledge. Northern Ohio, to prepare a list of the “Ketch” led us to, and distributed small moss flora of that part of the State.” golden-crowned clumps of dirt from, a Claassen’s list includes this tantalizing recess in a steep bank along the shore of entry: “Schistostega asmundacea, Web. Cranberry Lake, where SUNY College of and Mohr. On the ground in cave; P.” Environmental Science and Forestry has a Here, “P” stands for “Portage,” and asmundacea is a misspelling of

8 osmundacea, an early synonym for the gold, and we just need to put in more time species. searching for them. Field trip, anyone? - Bob Klips There’s been a good deal of interest in Ohio caves lately, as a collaborative CHEMICAL SPECIATION? research team from Wittenberg University As a newcomer to lichenology, I approach and ODNR, with USFWS funding, has the subject with all the hubris of a conducted biotic surveys of them, mainly neophyte. My background is that of a focusing on animals. Fortuitous media laboratory scientist, specifically, reports about their endeavors, available microbiology. I have had years of on-line, indicate that “the place” for caves experience at identifying and culturing in Portage County is Nelson Kennedy bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. In Ledges State Park in Garrettsville. There, addition, my outdoor avocation has been sandstone cliff formations occur that are concerned with the appreciation of wild among the few outcrops in northern Ohio mushrooms and other macrofungi. I look that weren’t covered with soil and rock left to the appreciation of lichens as my “new by receding glaciers. Erosion wore away at frontier” and thought perhaps my the softer rock layers below the sandstone, background in the foregoing might be causing large “slump blocks” to fall away, useful in commenting on something I have leaving more resistant layers to form already noticed and that is the matter of ledges above. what I will call “chemical speciation”.

I visited Nelson Ledges in mid-August in a For that, look no further than the Cladonia brief but fruitless search for luminous pyxidata complex, a group of closely- moss. The place is beautiful, a jumble of related species that seem to be rocks and shaded rock faces that indeed differentiated only by specific looks like (a) prime Schistostega habitat, combinations of spot tests. The and (b) a poor location to jog, especially at lichenologist does not have the luxury (nor night. the time!) to culture their specimens to see if the designated identifying characteristics hold true or whether they are merely expressions of the environment in which they are found. Would a Cladonia grayi specimen found growing in Scioto County still be identified the same if it were transported to and allowed to grow in Jefferson County? Is the unique expression of biochemical reactions characterizing this taxon stable or is it something influenced by the environment, i.e., the substrate on which it is growing?

Nelson Ledges is a jumble of rocks. Photo by Bob Klips Laboratory mycologists know that a given species of imperfect fungus will exhibit There’s a good chance the goblins are still greatly divergent colonial morphologies there at Nelson Ledges, hoarding their depending on the biochemical formulation of the medium on which it is grown.

9 Small differences in nitrogen composition opining further about this latest chapter in will result in quite obvious distinctions in the “splitters vs. lumpers” war . appearance. - Bob Burrell

Certain characteristics in bacteria of Wanted (Alive) course are determined by genetic Phaeophyscia orbicularis IN OHIO composition which in turn might be Prior to 1977 and 1978 the name influenced by viral transporters of the gene Phaeophyscia orbicularis was used in a for that characteristic. The diphtheria broad sense to include Phaeophyscia bacillus will not produce its lethal toxin adiastola, Phaeophyscia pusilloides, and until it has been infected with a virus Phaeophyscia rubropulchra, among others transporting the gene for its production (Esslinger 1977). The name, Phaeophyscia from a toxigenic strain. Poisonous tree orbicularis, however, was retained as a frogs used by Central and South American distinct species, found mostly in the indigenous peoples as a source of poison western and northern parts of North for their hunting arrows have been found America (Esslinger 1978). to lose their ability to produce these superficial toxins when they are reared in a The only Ohio record for this terrarium or exhibited in a zoological Phaeophyscia orbicularis was based upon setting. Something acquired from their material collected by Paul Kaucher from normal environment has caused the frogs The Wilderness (Edge of Appalachia to produce and secrete these toxins; Preserve) (Kercher and Snyder, 1982). Dr. remove them from that environment and Theodore L. Esslinger, North Dakota State the ability to express the toxin is lost. University, identified this material as

Phaeophyscia orbicularis, albeit, Medical microbiologists often cultivate reluctantly (personal communication). No pathogenic microorganisms on laboratory additional specimens have since been media enriched with sterile blood, usually reported. At the present time, the status of human. The addition of the blood Phaeophyscia orbicularis is unknown. It enhances the growth of fastidious isolates appears on “Ohio’s Lichen Watch List” from the body. All well and good, but and may still be discovered. certain pathogenic fungi will exhibit the blood group of the type used for making Phaeophyscia orbicularis (Neck.) Moberg the lab medium on which they were is a small gray-brown species forming grown! This certainly is not a phenotypic irregular to rounded thalli with somewhat expression from a genetic determinant. overlapping lobes and distinct, orbicular

soralia on the upper surface (see the photo So the question that arises in this below). While similar to Phaeophyscia neophyte’s mind is, are the various adiastola, that species has marginal soralia biochemical subtleties currently being and is widespread in Ohio. Another used to divide lichen taxa really based on common species, Phaeophyscia inherent properties or acquired from pusilloides, may be similar but its (mostly) environmental conditions? greenish soralia are terminal on upturned

lobe tips. Continue to be on the lookout I shall look forward to sharpening my I.D. for this species as it could turn up when skills and you may well look the same least expected. towards keeping my mouth closed in

10 was great, even if it is a mere vascular plant. Afterwards we continued hiking through the woods, and saw that the path continued along the edge of the woods bordering a soybean field. Back story: The previous weekend, Jeff and I participated in a bio-blitz where, as usual, that young whippersnapper kept scooping me by spotting cool plants that I had just walked past or even stepped on. Eager to regain a little botanical credibility, I was thrilled to see a wee little moss on the

path just where it exited the woods.

Hands-and-knees scrutiny revealed the

moss to be one of the exciting short-lived Phaeophyscia orbicularis. Specimen annual mosses generally called “fall courtesy of Christopher Raithel, ephemerals.” This one, Aphanorrhegma Department of Environmental serratum (Funariaceae) turned out not to Management, Rhode Island, Photo by Don G. Flenniken be a county record, but it is nonetheless fairly uncommon, or at least infrequently References noticed. I was pumped!

Esslinger, T. L. 1977. Studies in the lichen Yes, pumped was I, for about two entire family Physciaceae. 1. A new North minutes. Jeff’s “plant-dar” was set to American species. Mycotaxon 5(1): 299- “high.” He wandered off toward the 306. soybeans and immediately came back holding a little green-topped dirt ball, Esslinger, T. L. 1978. Studies in the lichen innocently asking “Can this be this one of family Physciaceae. II. The genus those non-Phaeoceros, non-Anthoceros Phaeophyscia in North America. hornworts that have a tiny sideways Mycotaxon 7(2): 283-320. sporophyte instead of an upright horn-like one?” The answer, which was “yes,” Kaucher, P. R. and J. A. Snyder. 1982. raised another question: How does he do The macrolichen flora of five Adams that? The answer to that latter question County nature preserves. Ohio Journal of might involve comparing the visual acuity Science 82(5): 302-305. of someone born during, say, the Clinton - Don G. Flenniken Administration compared with someone born during the Truman one. Thank AN UNUSUAL HORNWORT goodness for hand-lenses! (Notothylas orbicularis) This promised to be great fun, and it was. This is a picture of Jeff’s great find, a In mid-August a scientist who studies hornwort called Notothylas orbicularis. orchids invited fellow OMLA member Hornworts comprise one of the three plant Jeff Rose and me to accompany him to divisions that are collectively, but see “three birds” orchid at Dawes informally, referred to as “bryophytes.” Arboretum in Licking County. Seeing the The “bryophyte” designation is informal orchid growing right alongside the trail because it is now generally accepted that

11 they do not have a common ancestor that Hornworts are small, flat, relatively is not also shared with another plant featureless plants that, when lacking group. The other “bryophyte” divisions sporophytes, are readily mistaken for are the mosses (Division Bryophyta with liverworts. Our hornworts, while just over 400 species in Ohio), and the infrequently observed, are sometimes liverworts (Division Marchantiophyta abundant and may indeed not be with approximately 125 species in Ohio.) especially rare, but just overlooked. Hornworts, Division Anthocerotophyta, Hornwort habitats are nothing special. are a relatively small group that is mainly Ours are all found on moist disturbed tropical. Ohio is home to just three open soil, where they can be almost hornwort species. weedy. They engage in an interesting mutualism, harboring colonies of nitrogen-fixing bacteria within special cavities in their body.

A hornwort more deserving of the name, and the species that is much more frequently encountered in our region, is Phaeoceros laevis. Here’s a picture of Phaeoceros taken in October a few years ago in Hocking County. Note the spike- like capsules that elongate from the base Notothylas orbicularis Photo by Bob Klips (a very unusual manner of growth for a plant, as plants usually lengthen only by In the photo below, labels denote the adding cells at the tip) and split at the end, short spindle-shaped sporophytes, laying releasing yellow spores. sideways in characteristic Notothylas fashion. Actually, what we see here are the cylindrical “involucres,” collar-like tubes on the gametophyte within which the sporophytes are developing, and from which they will soon project, but just a bit. See also two mosses: (1) a “fruiting” individual of the fall ephemeral Aphanorrhegma serratum (big whoop!) and (2) some species of Amblystegium.

Phaeoceros laevis Photo by Bob Klips

Note: A version of this article originally

appeared on line at

http://ohioflora.blogspot.com/2010/08/sm

all-flat-and-featureless-notothylas.html

- Bob Klips

Notothylas orbicularis Photo by Bob Klips

12 CEMETERY LICHENS In Ohio, this community is found in Cemeteries can be interesting places, not cemeteries throughout the state. These only for the history that they contain, but lichens are also sometimes found on trees also for the biology. Older headstones in the relatively flat Huron-Erie Lake made of sandstone or marble, and their Plains and Till Plains regions but are rarer bases, are frequently encrusted with on bark in the Appalachian Plateau lichens. But not just any lichens; there is a physiographic region. This may be the group of species that is consistently found result of agricultural eutrophication of in this habitat. The usual substrate for trees in the former areas, but may also these lichens is soft-barked trees like ash, reflect the distribution of substrate tree walnut and sometimes maple and old species in the different Ohio regions. sycamore, but with civilization they have found a new home in cemeteries.

This group includes Phaeophyscia species, primarily P. decolor and P. rubropulchra, Physcia adscendens, the ubiquitous Physcia millegrana, Physciella chloantha, Physconia species, and Xanthomendoza species. These lichens are typically nitrophilous and prefer basic substrates. With the exception of Physcia millegrana, they are rarely found on the harder, more acidic bark of oaks and hickories. Most of these lichens have a circumpolar Xanthomendoza is another common distribution and in Europe, where this cemetery species. Photo by Ray Showman group is used as an indicator of eutrophication, it is called the Xanthorion So the next time you visit a cemetery, take complex. a look at the older headstones and see if you can find some of these cemetery lichens. - Ray Showman

But me the man of science and of taste, Sees wealth far richer in the world of waste; Where bits of lichens and a sprig of moss, Will all the raptures of his mind engross; And bright-winged insects on the flowers may, Shine pearls too wealthy to cast away. from Shadows of Taste by John Clare, page 137 Physcia adscendens, a common cemetery lichen. Photo by Ray Showman

13 WHAT MOSS IS THIS? and is essentially leafless. Sphagnum has Part 2 - Tips for Making Microscope fascicles (clusters of branches) attached to Slides for the Examination of mostly the stem. Rhodobryum has leaves in a tight Acrocarpous Mosses rosette at the stem apex. There are only 4 Part 1 in Dec. 2009 Obelisk: genera with distichous leaves (leaves http://www.ohiomosslichen.org/newsletter exactly opposite on the stem) (Distichium, .html) Fissidens, Schistostega, and Bryoxiphium); these are easily Equipment needed, in addition to the recognizable from the drawings in moss equipment mentioned in part 1: floras. Leucobryum, and Octoblepharum,  To make thin cross-sections, double- that is found in the deep South, have a edged razor blades are often costa that fills the upper part of the leaf recommended because they are usually and is two or more cells thick. Some mosses have lamellae, filaments, or thinner and sharper than single-edged obvious ridges on the costa. Also notice if razor blades. Double-edged blades the dry plant is curled or contorted. These may be broken in half for use by using things are all clues in the mystery of pliers, or if they are securely wrapped "What moss is this?" in paper using fingers pressing one edge at a shallow angle against a flat To prepare a slide for the compound surface, and bending the blade until it scope place several plants in a drop of water on a slide. Notice any obvious breaks They must be held carefully to differences in the shape of the plants or in avoid finger cuts in use. A fine the appearance of the leaves when the diamond hone (see carpenter supply moss is moist compared to when it was houses) can be used to sharpen even dry. Some julaceous mosses will no longer new razor blades and especially single appear worm-like when water is added. edged blades for finer cuts. Making Remove some leaves from the stem and lay them flat to make leaf cells, costa and cuts on a small piece of wood will other features easily visible. Some preserve the edge longer than a glass additional dissection must be done for the slide. following groups of mosses:  One of the cross-section methods a. Fissidens has an extra flap of described below uses a large thick leaf clasping the stem, called needle with longitudinal scoring on the the vaginant lamina. Cross- needle created with coarse sandpaper.1 sections of the leaf must be made to confirm identification  Dyes used for Sphagnum staining of several species (such as F. include gentian violet, crystal violet, or taxifolius) to check for papillae methylene blue. on the vaginant lamina. Other species have bistratose areas on Dissecting scope examination of their leaves which are easily acrocarps (mostly erect, unbranched recognized in a leaf cross- mosses): Many mosses of this group can section; they can also be seen be identified to genus easily by looking at by careful focusing up and whole plants. Buxbaumia has large, down on darker areas of the uniquely shaped, asymmetrical capsules leaves. The Fissidens key in

14 Volume 27 of the Flora of c. The Pottiaceae and many other North America uses the genera should all have leaf and number of guide cells (large often stem cross-sections made thin-walled cells) in the costa to check for stereid bands to separate groups of species. (groups of thick walled cells in the costa) and central strands b. Mosses with lamellae (long (small cells in the center of the flat strips of cells running down stem). The cross-section of a the costa), Atrichum, costa may have one or two Polytrichum, Pogonatum, and bands of stereid cells, in Polytrichastrum, should have addition to guide cells (large leaf cross sections made. thin walled cells) that separate Atrichum crispum may be the stereid bands of cells (p. confused with Mnium since A. 332, Fig 151E 2) or are crispum only has a few positioned next to a single band lamellae that may not be of stereids (p. 276, Fig. 121D continuous down the costa. 2;). See photos of stereid bands With experience, these can be below. detected on a whole leaf by careful examination with a hand lens or dissecting scope. Atrichum species are separated, in part, on the number of lamellae growing from the costa and the number of cells that make up the height of the lamellae. Polytrichum, Polytrichastrum, and Pogonatum species differ in the shape of the cells on the top edge of the lamellae. To observe these characters, make leaf cross-sections first, and then scrape some of the lamellae off into a drop of water using the edge of the razor blade as a scraper. Then the lamellae can be seen in both cross-section and side view. In addition, cross- sections of some of the Mniums are useful to see if they have bistratose cell margins as well as to ensure that the moss is not Atrichum crispum.

15 d. Sphagnum mosses in general pencil that releases its color should be dyed to make some readily to a wet surface is used of the features such as pores to stain the leaf. and fibrils in the hyaline cells readily apparent. The whole Compound scope examination: For all plant may be put in a container acrocarps look at leaves and determine with diluted dye for a minute, leaf size and shape, cell shape, alar cell then removed and put on a shape, costa type and length, papillae slide where the parts that need presence or absence, brood bodies and dissection can be separated. their type and position, and hyaline (clear) There are two kinds of cell areas and shape on the leaf. Papillae branches in the fascicles; can be easily seen in leaf cross-sections; c- transverse branches that grow shaped papillae can easily seen by out away from the stem and focusing up and down with 400X in the descending branches that lie compound scope. very close to the stem. It is useful to count the number of Making cross sections: Cross-sections are descending branches in a often required for positive determination fascicle, since the number of of a genus or species for both acrocarps each are mentioned in the and pleurocarps. There are several species descriptions, and may techniques to use. Moisten the material be significant in the keys. and place it on a dry section of the slide. Some species are distinguished Always use a dissecting scope to make on whether the number of cross-sections. Two or three leaves may descending branches per be stacked in a pile, to increase the fascicle is one or two. efficiency and get several cross-sections Sphagnum slide preparation with each cut. Sphagum branch leaf cross- requires two slides (or one slide sections are most efficiently made by with two cover slips), the first taking some of the longer branches from slide of stem dissections, the capitulum (a "head" or cluster of showing stem cross-sections, young short branches at the tip of the stem leaves, and scrapings of stem) and making cross-sections of the the surface cells on the stem. entire branches. A similar procedure may The second should have branch be used on tiny acrocarps; this procedure dissections, with branch leaves, may result in simultaneous stem cross- branch leaf cross-sections and sections as well as leaves. Relax and take a branches. These two slides deep breath before your first cut. And will have all the pieces and remember practice helps. Polytrichum parts to observe to identify the cross-sections are good ones to start with. species. With experience, a. Finger method: If the material is large shortcuts in dissection can be enough (leaf or stem) and your finger nails made. For instance, Sphagnum are not too long or too short, it can be held fimbriatum has a unique stem down on the slide with a forefinger with leaf and can be identified in the the fingernail almost touching it; then field with careful dissection using the nail as a guide for the razor blade and a hand lens, especially if make the first cut. Rock the finger back the kind of purple water color slightly on the fingertip which moves the

16 nail back slightly exposing a bit more they are stripped from the stem. But material and make a second cut. Repeat Hypnum curvifolium, which does not have this motion making successive cuts. Use a hyalodermis, often shows what appear to the edge of the blade to move the cross- be clear cells attached to the base of leaf! sections into a drop of water and tip the This tissue is probably just the top half of blade into the drop to rinse off any the stem surface cells and thus appears sections adhering to the blade. hyaline. So I recommend always making a b. Chop method: Hold the material down cross-section for Hypnum. on a slide with forceps or another slide and The best place to make stem cross- make repetitive cuts to make cross- sections is near the tip of the stem for both sections. Hopefully some of these will be acrocarps and pleurocarps. Older (often of suitable thickness. more beat up) bits of stem may not show c. Fat needle method: Hold the material the clear thin walled cells of a down with the large needle mentioned in hyalodermis but only a scalloped edge the equipment section. This method works where the outer walls of cells have been well for tiny leaves. The first cut will be worn away (p. 1152, Fig 567D 2). Some parallel to the far side of the needle. cross-sections may be confusing because Position the razor blade perpendicular to the cells of a leaf base may be attached to the leaf and next to the needle tip of the the cross-section and may appear to be a needle, and make your first cut. Then hyalodermis. Several cross-sections need rotate the needle slightly toward you so a to be checked. little more material is exposed keeping Axillary hairs may be another feature that steady pressure on the material with the you will notice during careful observation. needle. Make a second cut next to the These are often seen on stems from which needle. Repeat until the desired cross- the leaves have been carefully removed, sections are made. Practice is needed to especially at stem tips, or attached to the ensure that the material is always under base of detached leaves. These are fine some pressure from the needle so it will filaments of 3 to 7 cells, usually hyaline, not slip out from under the needle. often with the basal cell that is brown or Most of the pleurocarps (branching, mat some other color. Some bryologists are forming mosses) don't need cross sections. beginning to use these in keys and But there are a few where stem cross- descriptions. sections make identification possible. Brood bodies are known by many names: Some of these mosses have a stem with a brood branches, gemmae, bulbils, hyalodermis. This is a stem whose outer underground tubers, reduced branches, layer of cells are large and thin-walled and propagula (special name for brood clear (see p. 979 Fig 475B 2); most mosses bodies), or deciduous leaf tips. All of these have small thick-walled cells in the outer may generate a new plant asexually from layer. There are two groups of mosses the parent plant. They may grow on where routinely made cross-sections are leaves, in leaf axils, on stems, or on needed for accurate identification cross- rhizoids; and their shape, general section, and may be necessary for the appearance, and growth site is often process of identification; these are the species-specific. They can sometimes be genus Hypnum and complanate (flattened seen with a hand lens or dissecting scope in one plane) mosses. One Hypnum key2 on the whole plant. It is exciting to find suggests that these hyaline cells can be and recognize brood bodies since they can most easily seen at the base of a leaf where really help with naming your moss.

17 Any of the odd papillae or brood bodies or the bird is identified, but the bryophytes other unique features help answer our and lichens are not. mystery question, "What moss is this?" The real mystery is how to handle mosses Carolina chickadees are cavity nesters and that have no unique features. Well written use mosses, fibrous bark, dry grasses, keys will answer this question, especially feathers, and animal hair to build their once you know what the author of the keys nests. Nest construction begins in late means in each couplet. (With a large March - early April, and fledglings take complicated key, I make an index of genus off in late May - early June. There are versus couplet number(s) where the genus numerous videos on the internet that show is found. So, if I know what the moss is, I Carolina chickadees building nests, can work backwards through the key and hatching eggs, and feeding chicks. learn what words the author chooses to arrive at a particular genus. Ah hah, now I In 2007 and 2008 Carolina chickadees can make the key work for another used a bluebird house in our yard as a specimen of that genus! nesting site. The house was located in a 1. Kellman K.,"A Newly Designed small clearing within an 80-year old dissection Needle for Making Transverse Appalachian oak forest. Each year, after Leaf Sections", Evansia. Vol. 22, No. 4, the young fledged, I tore apart the nests, 2005. and determined all of its components. I 2. Crum, H. A. & Anderson, L. E., had help from Ray Showman, who "Mosses of Eastern North America", 1981. identified the lichens, and Tim Matson, - Diane Lucas who identified the animal hair.

MOSS MUSINGS Bryophytes and Birds I confess. I have two passions (obsessions?): bryophytes and birds. Seldom is one lucky enough to combine passions. I had that opportunity when Carolina chickadees used bryophytes to build nests in a bluebird house in our yard. The use of mosses in nest construction is not a new observation. According to Baicich and Harrison, in Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds, 105 of Chickadee nest Photo by Diane Lucas 672 birds included mosses in their nests. Fellow OMLA member, Susan (Moyle) The nests occupied the floor of the nest Studlar, in study published in 1976 in The box to a depth of about 1 3/4 inches. The Bryologist 79: 95-98, found 65 bryophyte 2007 nest weighed about 1 ounce, and in species in the nests of 11different species 2008, 1.2 ounces. The nests were made up of birds. Bryophyte-utilizing nest builders of bryophytes, hardwood inner bark and include worm-eating warblers, Kirtland’s raccoon hair. The 2007 nest was 55% (by warblers, cedar waxwings, and eastern volume) bryophytes (Frullania towhees. Hummingbirds are known to use eboracensis, Platygyrium repens and lichens in nest construction. Frequently others), and the 2008 nest was 70.4% bryophytes. For a more detailed

18 breakdown of the nest components, see I have nests from 2009 and 2010, and Evansia 27(1): 23-29. intend to continue this project to see if nest composition changes. – Barb Andreas Other bryophytes present included Porella platyphylla, Bryoandersonia illecebra, NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN – My Dicranum montanum, Entodon seductrix, Summer as an Intern at the New York Haplohymenium triste, Leskea Botanical Garden gracilescens, Orthotrichum ohioense, Every now and then an opportunity comes Platydictya subtilis, Pylaisiadelpha along that I can’t refuse. I received that tenuirostris, and Sematophyllum adnatum. opportunity this past summer when I was Lichen species included Myelochroa invited to be an intern at the New York aurulenta, Phaeophyscia adiastola, Botanical Garden. I worked for Dr. Phaeophyscia rubropulchra, Physcia William R. Buck on the bryoflora of the millegrana, and Punctelia subrudecta. Cape Horn Region of Chile. Needless to say, I was the oldest intern (by decades) in With the exception of Bryoandersonia the summer class of 2010. illecebra, which was present as a single piece in the 2007 nest, all the bryophytes My summer assignment was to work with are corticolous (either on bases or bark of southern South American species of trees). The chickadees pulled strands of Blindia (Seligeriaceae). Blindia is a genus pleurocarpous mosses and Frullania off of high elevations and/or high latitudes. bark in fragments measuring less than a Blindia is found on every continent except half-inch in length. The acrocarpous Antarctica, with major concentrations of mosses, Orthotrichum ohioense and species in Chile and the Australasian Dicranum montanum, were removed as region. tiny tufts. For anyone who has collected Frullania eboracensis, you know how In 1986, Bartlett and Vitt wrote a revision much effort was made by these birds to of the genus, identifying 16 species. This obtain enough fragments to build their was my “bible”, and I dissected it word by nests. Sometimes bark fragments were word, and used to it learn the species as attached, and the lichens were represented in the New York Botanical inadvertently collected with the Garden’s William C. Steere Bryophyte bryophytes. Herbarium. The Steere Herbarium houses more than 640,000 specimens of What surprised me the apparent selectivity bryophytes. of the chickadees. Other corticolous bryophytes were available, including After being given a week to learn the Anomodon attenuatus, Brachythecium species represented in the herbarium, I was laetum, Clasmatodon parvulus, Hypnum given a box of “unknowns’, collected by pallescens, and Ulota crispa, but none was Bill during his numerous trips to the Cape used in nest construction. There were Horn region. From my view, this box many other bryophytes more easily contained a mass of olive-brown to collectible from sandstone rocks and blackish-brown acrocarps that were all at decorticated logs. These chickadees once all alike, and yet at the same time had preferred Platygyrium repens and nothing in common except color. Frullania eboracensis.

19 By the end of the second week I 2010 FALL FORAY – MUSKINGUM recognized a Blindia from a non-Blindia, COUNTY, OHIO and had written a tentative key to the The 2010 Fall Foray was held in species of Blindia in southern South Muskingum County on Saturday, October America. Posing as sterile “Blindias” 2 and Sunday, October 3. This county had were members of the genera Ditrichum been fairly undercollected with records for (Ditrichaceae) and Dicranoloma only 28 moss species, 4 liverwort species, (Dicranaceae). and 52 macrolichens. Muskingum County lies in the unglaciated portion of Ohio with By the end of the third week I had primarily Pennsylvanian bedrock. annotated all the material except 4 packets. Luckily, 3 of the 4 were fertile, and I could Collections were made at several sites in with confidence say that they were and around THE WILDS and at two sites members of Blindia. The sterile packet in the Blue Rock State Forest. Much of closely resembled two of the others. So, I THE WILDS has been strip-mined and the had three packets that were the same, and land consists of reclaimed mine land one different. presently covered with grass, unreclaimed mine land naturally re-forested, and By the end of the fourth week, I had remnant hardwood forests on unmined identified two un-named species in the land. Some exposed rock outcrops were genus. These are currently being present, and consisted of sandstones, some described by me for publication. Diane with calcareous sands. Lucas is assisting by producing photomicrographs to accompany the Habitat in the Blue Rock State Forest article. included natural mixed hardwood forest, a black walnut plantation and open trees, Although I am a trained vascular plant grass and bare soil around a fire tower. systematist, and have been identifying temperate mosses since the early 1990’s, Lichens recorded during the Foray this internship gave me the opportunity to included 47 macrolichens and 11 crustose put the skills together. In fact, one could species. Little is known about crustose say that I am now a Blindia “expert”. species distribution in Ohio and all of the other crustose species are probably new The typical day began at 6:00 a.m. and for Muskingum County. ended between 3-4 p.m. I was assigned a study room near the herbarium, where I The macrolichen list includes 19 new worked intensely each day. The only county records. Several of these deserve disruption was a half-hour break for lunch. note. Myelochroa metarevoluta is a I was truly honored to lunch with such seldom seen species with only three botanical luminaries as Noel and Patricia confirmed previous records for Ohio. Holmgren, Dick Harris, Scott Mori, Bill Physcia pumilior, only recently reported Buck and Barbara Thiers, among others. from Ohio has been previously found in - Barb Andreas three counties. It should be present in other counties. Xanthoparmelia tasmanica has been found only once before, in Meigs County.

20 The collection of bryophytes during the C. chlorophaea complex X X Fall Foray was equally successful. There C. coniocraea X X were 65 moss county records and 10 C. cristatella X C. furcata X liverwort county records. On the foray, a C. macilenta N X total of 88 moss species were collected. C. ochrochlora N X X With the addition of the previously C. peziziformis X collected Bryhnia novae-angliae, Bryum C. rei X lisae var. cuspidatum, Ceratodon C. squamosa X purpureus, and Funaria hygrometrica, the Dermatocarpon luridum N X total number of mosses for Muskingum Flavoparmelia baltimorensis N X F. caperata X X County is 92. Frullania inflata and Graphis scripta (C) X Porella platyphylla were previously Heterodermia obscurata X reported from Muskingum County. With Hypocenomyce scalaris (C) X this species and the 10 collected on the Hypogymnia physodes X foray, the total liverworts for the county is Hypotrachyna showmanii N X 12 species. Lecanora dispersa (C) X X Lepraria incana (C) X L. lobificans (C) X X Perhaps the best finds were Fabronia Leptogium dactylinum N X ravenelii (=Fabronia ciliaris var. Melanelixia subaurifera X X polycarpa) collected by Barb Andreas, and Myelochroa aurulenta X X Ephemerum crassinervium, collected by M. galbina X X Bob Klips. This record is only the 5th M. metarevoluta N X county for the state. Bob has a knack of Parmelia sulcata X X Parmelinopsis minarum N X X finding these small ephemerals (as well as Parmotrema chinense N X corticolous specimens). Fabronia P. hypotropum X X ravenelii has been found only once P. margaritatum N X previously in Ohio, in Ross County. It P. stuppeum X X has been reported from Kentucky, and Peltigera canina X states to the east and south. P. evansiana N X Phaeophyscia adiastola N X P. hirsuta N X The county records and the number of P. pusilloides N X X rarities for both lichens and bryophytes P. rubropulchra X X found in Muskingum County illustrate the Physcia adscendens X value of Forays to undercollected counties. P. americana X – Ray Showman and Barb Andreas P. millegrana X X P. pumilior N X P. stellaris X X Lichens Recorded During the 2010 Physciella chloantha X Fall Foray in Muskingum County. Physconia detersa X X W = THE WILDS area; BR = Porpidia albocaerulescens (C) X Blue Rock State Forest. Punctelia rudecta X X Lichen Species W BR P. subrudecta N X X Acarospora fuscata (C) X Pyrrhospora varians (C) X Caloplaca feracissima (C) X X Pyxine sorediata X X C. flavovirescens (C) X Trapeliopsis flexuosa (C) X Candelaria concolor X X Usnea strigosa X X Canoparmelia crozalsiana N X X Xanthoparmelia tasmanica N X Cladonia apodocarpa X Total Species (58) 51 32 N = New County Record. (C) = Crustose Species.

21 Bryophytes Recorded During the 2010 Fissidens minutulus N X Fall Foray in Muskingum County. Fissidens taxifolius X W = THE WILDS area; BR = Forsstroemia trichomitria X Blue Rock State Forest. Haplocladium microphyllum N X Species Name W BR Haplohymenium triste N X Mosses Hedwigia ciliata N X Amblystegium varium X X Homomallium adnatum N X Anomodon attenuatus X Hygroamblystegium tenax X X Anomodon rostratus N X X Hypnum curvifolium N X Aphanorrhegma serratum N X Hypnum imponens N X Atrichum angustatum N X Hypnum lindbergii N X Atrichum crispulum N X Hypnum pallescens N X X Aulacomnium heterostichum N X Isopterygium tenerum N X Aulacomnium palustre N X Leptodictyum humile X Barbula unguiculata N X X Leptodictyum riparium N X Brachythecium acuminatum N X Leskea gracilescens X Brachythecium laetum N X X Leucobryum albidum N X Brachythecium plumosum N X Leucobryum glaucum N X Brachythecium rutabulum N X Orthotrichum ohioense N X Brachythecium salebrosum N X X Orthotrichum pumilum N X Brotherella recurvans N X Orthotrichum pusillum N X X Bryhnia graminicolor N X Orthotrichum stellatum N X Bryoandersonia illecebra X X Plagiomnium ciliare N X Bryum argenteum X X Plagiomnium cuspidatum X Bryum capillare N X Plagiomnium ellipticum N X Callicladium haldanianum N X Plagiothecium cavifolium N X X Camplyium chrysophyllum N X Pylaisiadelpha tenuirostris N X X Climacium americanum X Platydictya confervoides X Ctenidium molluscum N X Platydictya subtilis N X Cyrto-hypnum pygmaeum N X Platygyrium repens X X Dicranella heteromalla X Pohlia nutans N X Dicranum flagellare N X Pohlia wahlenbergii N X Dicranum fulvum N X X Polytrichum juniperum N X Dicranum montanum N X X Polytrichum pallidisetum N X Dicranum scoparium X X Polytrichum ohioense X Diphyscium foliosum N X Rhizomnium punctatum N X Ditrichum lineare N X Rhynchostegium serrulatum X X Ditrichum pallidum N X Schistidium rivulare N X Drepanocladus aduncus var. X Sematophyllum adnatum N X kneiffii N Syntrichia papillosa N X Entodon brevisetus N X Taxiphyllum deplanatum N X Entodon seductrix X X Taxiphyllum taxiraeum N X X Ephemerum crassinervium N X Thuidium delicatulum X Eurhynchium hians X X Thuidium recognitum N X Eurhynchium pulchellum X Ulota crispa N X Fabronia ravenelii N Weissia controversa X X Fissidens bryoides N X Total Mosses (88) 72 35 Fissidens bushii N X Fissidens dubius X

22 Liverworts Calypogeia sullivantii N X Cephaloziella rubella N X Cololejeunea biddlecomiae N X Frullania brittoniae N X Frullania eboracensis N X X Lophocolea heterophylla N X Nowellia curvifolia N X Pallavicinia lyellii N X Ptilidium pulcherrimum N X Radula companata N X Total Liverworts (10) 9 2

NEWS & NOTES

Thanks to all of our contributors for making this the biggest and best OBELISK yet! - RES & JT

* * * * * * This unusual art is by M. C. Escher. More Forest Gump (in the movie Forest Gump, can be seen and purchased on the website: 1995) said that “life is like a box of www.mcescher.com. Note the gigantic chocolates – you never know what you’re lichens and mosses in the lower left hand going to get.” The same holds true when corner. searching for lichens and bryophytes. You may see an orchid in bloom, an unusual * * * * * * butterfly or a baby box turtle. The lichen poem can be sung to the words of ‘She’ll Be Commin’ Round The Mountain’.

* * * * * *

The Ohio Moss and Lichen Association will be holding a Winter Meeting, Summer Foray and Fall Foray in 2011 but no dates have been set yet. We would welcome volunteers to plan either the Summer or Photo by Ray Showman Fall Foray. If you are interested, please

contact Barb or Ray. Thanks everyone for Baby box turtles are seldom seen; they your interest and participation! spend the first few years of their life burrowing in the leaf litter in search of food and avoiding predators like crows and raccoons.

23

Summer Foray participants (L to R): Bob Klips, Cynthia Dassler, Jeff Rose, Barb Andreas, Ray Showman, Janet Traub, Don Flenniken, Jim Toppin.

Fall Foray participants (L to R): Bob Klips, Zack Canter, Bill Schumacher, Jenise Bauman, Brian Gara, Carole Schumacher, Ed Fuchs, Jim Toppin, Barb Andreas, Cynthia Dassler, Jeff Rose, Diane Lucas, Cindy Fink, Ray Showman, Bob Burrell. Not pictured: Don Flenniken, Dave Smith. (Both Photos by Bob Klips)

24