Identification Guide
Key to identifying
Polytrichum commune
and
Polytrichum juniperinum
1. Leaf margins serrate, not
infolded..........................................................................................................2.
Leaf margins entire, thin and
infolded....................................................................................................4.
2. Terminal cell of the lamellae flat-topped or notched in
section: capsule
four-angled.....................................................................................................................................................3.
Terminal cell of the lamellae rounded:
capsule ovoid, obscurely 4- to 6-angled, beak
long..................................................................................................................................................gracile
3. Capsules cubical, beak
short......................................................................................................commune
Capsules much longer than broad, beak
long, neck tapering....................................................Ohioense
4. Plants of dry situations, small (1-2 cm) leaves with
long white awns........................................piliferum
Plants larger, leaves without white
awns................................................................................................5.
5. Plants of lowlands without felted radicles:
capsules 3-5mm
long.................................................................................................................................................juniperinum
Plants of alpine or subalpine regions:
stems covered with a dense felt of radicles, capsules
2-3mm
long.....................................................................................................................................strictum