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

 

Reference: (Grout, 63)