Bartramia pomiformis
Bartramia pomiformis, the common apple-moss,[1] is a species of moss in the Bartramiaceae family. It is typically green or glaucous in hue, although sometimes it can appear yellowish. The stems extend from a half cm to 8 cm, with narrowly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves 4 - 9 mm long.[2] The leaves have a nerve and are toothed. They are curled when dry but stick out when moist.
| Bartramia pomiformis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Bryophyta |
| Class: | Bryopsida |
| Subclass: | Bryidae |
| Order: | Bartramiales |
| Family: | Bartramiaceae |
| Genus: | Bartramia |
| Species: | B. pomiformis |
| Binomial name | |
| Bartramia pomiformis Hedw. (1801) | |
The capsules are particularly distinctive, being spherical and asymmetric, initially green but becoming brownish and ridged with age. They are around 2 mm diameter carried on a stalk 2 cm long.
Reddish rhizoids can often be seen on the stem.
The species is found in acidic or neutral substrates, particularly rock ledges, but also walls and earth banks. These sites are typically humid and shaded, often near streams or rivers. [3]
References
- Edwards, Sean R. (2012). English Names for British Bryophytes. British Bryological Society Special Volume. Vol. 5 (4 ed.). Wootton, Northampton: British Bryological Society. ISBN 978-0-9561310-2-7. ISSN 0268-8034.
- "Bartramia - Bartramiaceae". Bryophyte Flora of North America. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- Atherton, Ian; Bosanquet, Sam; Lawley, Mark. "Bartramia pomiformis Common Apple-moss" (PDF). Mosses and liverworts of Britain and Ireland a field guide. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
