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Order III - Bryales (True Mosses)

BUXBAUMIA FAMILY (BUXBAUMIACEAE)

Buxbaumia Piperi Best is the only species thus far found on Mt. Rainier. The drawing (plate IX, Fig. 2) will sufficiently identify these peculier looking plants for any beginner. A number of specimens were collected around Longmire on rotten logs, although in July, 1938, it was also collected on the Cowlitz Divide above Nickel Creek in sandy soil along the trail.

PLATE IX.

Fig. 1. (Sphagnaceae). Sphagnum Girghensohnii Russ. 1-a: branch x3; 1-b - apical leaf, magnified.
Fig. 2. (Buxbaumiaceae). Buxbaumia Piperi Best. entire plant x4.
Fig. 3. (Andreaeaceae). Andreaea petrophila Ehrh. 3-a - entire plant, moist. 3-b - fruiting tip, showing how capsule opens by four valves x5.

TETRAPHIS FAMILY (TETRAPHIDACEAE)

Tetraphis pellucida Hedw. (formerly known as Georgia pellucida) is the only genus and species of this family. It is found abundantly at the base of tree trunks near Longmire, especially between the road and the Nisqually River. The plant is easily identified by its four long teeth and by the presence on its slender branches of small green bodies known as gemmae which reproduce the plant vegetatively. (See Plate X, Fig. 2)

POLYTRICHUM FAMILY (POLYTRICHACEAE)

This family of rather large and well known mosses is well represented on Mt. Rainier. The plants often being of large size, stiff and coarse in nature and often forming dense sods, makes them conspicuous, and hence easily recognized by the beginner. The capsules vary from cylindrical to oblong; some are 4-6 angled.

Key to the Genera

Pogonatum differs from Polytrichum chiefly in the fact that the capsules are rounded. P. alpinum is found at higher elevations; it is of larger size and has a large, curved capsule. P. alpinum var. brevifolium is much smaller with short, sharply serrate leaves. P. urnigerum differs from the foregoing species largely by its straight, erect capsule. It is found at lower elevations in the park, having been collected below Carbon Glacier (3250 feet) and on River Trail (2800 feet). P. contortum is distinguished from the other species mentioned by the fact that the leaves, when dry, become much contorted. Considerable quantities of this species were found growing in loose soil along the trail below the Carbon Glacier.

Members of the genus Polytrichum, or the so-called Hair-cap mosses or Bird-wheat mosses, are among the best known mosses. As already mentioned, the chief point of distinction from the Pogonatums lies in the fact that Polytrichums have capsules which are ridged longitudinally. Hair-caps, like other mosses, are subject to extremes of dryness and protect themselves by folding up close to the stem. The presence of thin plates (lamellae) under the leaves also prevent drying out too quickly.

By far the most common Polytrichum found in the park is P. juniperinum which was collected at Longmire below Carbon Glacier, above Yakima Park, and near Reflection Lake. Like most Polytrichums, it forms dense sods. It differs from P. commune by the glaucous green of its leaves and its dried habitats. Var. alpestre has a shorter capsule and many more rhizoids. P. commune, probably var. perigonale was collected below Longmire in moister places. It is one of the largest of the Polytrichums. P. piliferum (Plate X, Fig. 1) is glaucous green in color the same as P. juniperinum but is much smaller, the largest specimens collected being only 4 cm. in height. Perhaps its best distinguishing characteristic is the fact that the leaves and in long glassy-appearing awns. Collections were made on the old Van Trump Trail, Burroughs Mountain, and in Van Trump Park.

P. norvegicum was formerly known as P. sexangulare because of the 6-angled nature of the capsule. This species usually grows at fairly high altitudes, having been collected above Paradise at 6800 feet elevation and at Klapatche Park, 5500 feet.

The genus Polytrichadelphus differs from the two previously mentioned genera in that the calyptra is very sparsely hairy to quite smooth; otherwise the plants have an appearance similar to that of the Hair-caps. A single species, P. Lyalli, was found in St. Andrews Park at the base of a long snow slope in soil among rocks, and forming loose tufts or sods.

The genus Atrichum, formerly known as Catherinaea has capsules that are rounded. Leaf characteristics, are somewhat similar to those of the Mniums. Two species have been found, A. crispum has ovate to elliptical leaves which become much crisped upon drying. A. undulatum has leaves which are tongue-shaped (lingulate) to lance-shaped (lanceolate) and with wavy surfaces. Both species are found at lower elevations of the park.

Oligotrichum is like Atrichum in having rounded capsules and hood-shaped (cucullate) calyptra, but differs from this genus in the fact that the leaves are not bordered with long narrow cells as in Atrichum. A single species, O. heraynicum, has been found in quantities on the Van Trump Trail at about 5000 feet elevation.

Dicranum Family - (DICRANACEAE)

A very large family of mosses, well represented on Mt. Rainier where many rather rare, high-altitude species occur. In size the plants vary from minute forms to forms several inches in height, and characteristically form mats. The peristome is of 16 teeth which are pale yellow to deep red in color. The calyptra is hood-shaped (cucullate).

Key to the Genera

Dicranoweisia is a genus composed. of small plants having leaves that are conspicuously crisped when dry. Three species have been collected in the park by the author. D. crispula (Hedw) Lindb. is by far the most common species and is distinguished from the other two by its alar cells being enlarged and inflated in many leaves. It was collected on the Eagle Peak Trail at 5500 feet and 5800 feet elevation, also on the trail to Van Trump Park and on the trail to Gobler's Knob lookout, as well as on Klapatche Trail. C. crispula var. contermina (R. & C.) differs from crispula in having alar cells unlike the other basal cells. It has been collected so far only at the summit of Eagle Peak. D. Roellii Kindb. is a very small form; specimens collected below Glacier Island were about 1 cm. in height. The capsules are ovoid in this respect - different from the oblong ones of the foregoing species. Dicranella subulata Hedw. Schimp. was collected on the trail to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground at about 3500 feet. It is a very small form with red setae and leaves with hair-like awns.

The genus Arctoa represents a group of plants separated from the genus Dicranum solely upon the basis of the homogeneous cells of the costa of Arctoa. Three species and one variety have been found in the park.

Arctoa falcata (Hedw.), formerly Dicranum falcatum, has alar cells little differentiated. The plants form compact sods at elevations well in the Hudsonian Zone of the park, with the ground beneath the heather often covered. Collections were made on Mazama Ridge, Skyline Trail, Van Trump Park, and Klapatche Park. A. Starkei (Web. & Mohr) (Plate X, Fig. 3) is very similar to A. falcata but has alar cells well differentiated and is, in general, a larger plant. A number of collections of this moss were made in Klapatche Park and on the Klapatche trail; also above Comet Falls and in the Devil's Dream Canyon. A. Blytii (Bry. Eur.) is considered by some a sub-species of A. Starkei, differing in that its leaves are not secured as are those of the foregoing, and in the convex (mamillose) character of its upper leaf cells. A. Blytii (Bry. Eur.) var. hispidula was collected above Van Trump Park and at the Eagle Park summit, representing as extension of range for this form (reported by A. J. Grout in Moss Flora of N. A., Vol. 1, Part 2, Page 77). Dicranum fuscescens, while now the sole representative of the genus thus far found here, is certainly well represented by a number of individuals. It is an exceedingly common moss at lower elevations throughout the park, and on one occasion was found near Comet Falls at 5000 feet. It covers. rotten logs and the bases of trees, forming beautiful mats which green up with rains.

PLATE X.

Fig. 1. (Polytrichaceae) Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. 1a - entire plant x2. 1b - capsule. 1c - leaf showing serrations.
Fig. 2. (Tetraphidaceae). Tetraphis pellucida Hedw. 2a - entire plant x3. 2b - capsule showing the four teeth characteristic of the genus. 2c - leaf, magnified highly.
Fig. 3. (Dicranaceae). Arctoa Starkii Weber & Morh. 3a - entire plant x3. 3b - leaf tip. 3c - capsule, magnified.

Descriptions continued...