The year of moss: day 2

Today I decided I’d write about the first moss I found after walking out the door. This was it: Bryum argenteum. This species is all over the cities of Aotearoa, and all over most cities in the world, cropping up wherever a tiny bit of dirt accumulates on the pavement. This is truly an impressive species, found on every continent of the world, including Antarctica. Unlike other species in the genus Bryum, Bryum argenteum is distinctive and easily identified to species level. The tips of its leaves are unpigmented, which gives the entire plant a silvery sheen. At least, when it's not covered in the grime and dust associated with growing in a gutter on the side of the road. Although I wouldn’t call this species “cute”, its incredible hardiness to cold, heat, pollution, and exposure certainly boosts its LMR (“Liadan’s moss rating”).
Cuteness: 2/10
Distinctiveness: 10/10
LMR: 7/10

Posted on October 17, 2024 07:15 PM by fuligogirl