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Post by doug on Feb 23, 2008 15:57:36 GMT -5
I have 3 different kinds of sphagnum moss growing in my setup, and I would like to try and identify them. Is there a good web page with pictures and names of the sphagnum that grows in Ontario?
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Post by tom on Feb 23, 2008 16:20:26 GMT -5
Sphagnum isn't easy to ID in most case without doubt. You'll need at least a 16-20x lense, and for sure and 'easy' ID, a stereomicroscope and some dye. Several caracters are to look upon such as caulinar leaves, rameal leaves, pores in them, orientation of those leaves, size and of course, their habitats. Some species are easy though, such as S. fuscum, rubellum, magellanicum, cuspidatum, when you can find them in full light, at their best. Sphagnum species are circumboreal species, ie you can find the same species all around the hemisphere. Though, any good book on Sphagnum will help you and it dont need to be 'specialized' for Ontario mosses. I have 2 suggestions, especially good for new comer in Sphagnum ID. The first one is sold be the geological commission of Canada. I think there is an english edition. This booklet is made for you to ID with an handlense and ecological habitat caracteristics: Bastien, D.-F. et M. Garneau. 1997. Clé d'identification macroscopic de 36 espèces de Sphaignes de l'est du Canada. Comission géologique du Canada Rapport divers 61. (Macroscopic Identification Key of 36 Sphagnum Species in Eastern Canada by Denis-F Bastien, Michelle Garneau (1997)) Otherwise, a botanist working with my lab made a very good booklet with imaged dichotomic key for ID with a stereomicroscope and violet crystal dye. I think they are thinking to make some prints this year, but i don't think it could be found in english yet. They are putting some of it online now, you can have a look here (in english): www.herbier.ulaval.ca/herbier_en/page.php?21You can also take a close-up pics of them and post them here. I could try to ID them with a nice close up, although there might be a doubt since i dont have the specimens in my hand
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Post by doug on Feb 23, 2008 17:36:31 GMT -5
Here is 2 sphagnums and a B-52 The spiky one is around the B-52 and the smooth one is in the bottom right corner. The spiky one is pure green and the smooth one is yellow green. I also have a red one and will take a picture tomorrow. Thanks Tom for your help if you want a bigger picture goto: farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2287061504_4ff322388e_b.jpg
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Post by tom on Feb 23, 2008 17:41:55 GMT -5
The 'smooth' one is looking a bit like S. fallax and i can't make a sure ID on the 'spiky' one. Field pictures/caracteristic would be handy and even there im not sure i would risk an ID without examining it for its caulinar leaves. Unless you got strong light, it wont hold much of its natural color in growing setup. The red one might be easier to ID though. Look at a local univesity library, perhaps you could borrow the macroscopic key. Or try to send me a few complete & healthy strand of sphagnum and i can try to ID them.
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Post by doug on Feb 23, 2008 19:21:06 GMT -5
I was looking at plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SPHAG2they have 73 species in Sphagnum One looks like my spiky one Sphagnum squarrosum Crome sphagnum plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=spsq70_006_ahp.jpgA note about the light level that mine are grown in: A 10 gallon tank with 5 13 watt screw in florescent bulbs. Before I put them in this bright light the red one was green and now is bright red, so I think the light level is hight enough to show up the true colours. If you have the time Tom could you out line how you ID them. I have a microscope.
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Post by doug on Feb 23, 2008 20:32:33 GMT -5
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Post by tom on Feb 23, 2008 21:09:00 GMT -5
The ID key cant be explained easily... I'll think of it and try to find a way. Or you can send me sample of them...
The spiky one looks indeed like squarrosum, but this spahgnum is usually found in richer habitat, forest, etc. Not a common bog species. It might be a bit 'disformed' moss... hard to tell.
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Post by doug on Feb 23, 2008 21:20:43 GMT -5
Thanks. There is no need to hurry
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Post by doug on Feb 24, 2008 15:48:45 GMT -5
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Post by tom on Feb 24, 2008 15:56:41 GMT -5
the red one is surely S. rubellum...
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Post by doug on Feb 24, 2008 16:38:16 GMT -5
Thanks Tom. I got it near Ottawa (just east)
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Post by doug on Feb 26, 2008 8:11:40 GMT -5
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Post by tom on Feb 26, 2008 14:14:07 GMT -5
i do know Crum and Anderson book, but rarely use it as it can be quite confusing... mosses are another world within botany, really! the surveys i've done were mainly based on Sphagnum and a few liverworts, the latter case were sent to expert when we were unsure or out of the common one. As for Sphagnum, i use the two tools i said before and dont feel i need to use anything else, being complete and 'easy' to use. But if bryology is your thing, this book is more reliable, as it covers larger than just the sphagnum genus.
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Post by doug on Mar 22, 2008 20:02:00 GMT -5
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Post by titom on Mar 22, 2008 21:44:31 GMT -5
I have some new zealand sphagnum. It very nice! It looks a bit like that I think... a pale and clear green, very long. How many sphagnum species exists in the world?
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