#bartramiaceae

[jadiaashley]

a whole world we truly know nothing about right at our feet

[drhoz]

#2237 - Breutelia sp.

One of at least 200 species in the genus, from the family Bartramiaceae. One possibility is B. pendula, found in Australia and New Zealand, and the subantarctic islands of Macquarie, Campbell, the Aucklands and the Antipodes, but without seeing the spore capsules and having a microscope I really can't go further than genus.

The genus is found worldwide, and named after botanist Johann Christian Breutel (1788–1875).

Huka Falls, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

[drhoz]

#2311 - Conostomum pentastichum - Apple Moss

In the lee of a north-facing lava cliff, sheltered by the overhang and watered by melting snow and ice, I found a small patch of moss and flowering plants. The larger one is a different species that I'll cover next, but the small star-shaped one was comprehensively mixed in.

C.pentastichum grows on soil and rock in alpine grass-heathlands in South America, Tasmania, New Zealand and a few subantarctic islands, and introduced to southern Africa.

Mount Ruapehu, North Island Volcanic Plateau, New Zealand