May 14
#3709 - Weissia controversa - Green-tufted Stubble Moss
One from the previous trip, only just IDed. It was growing a stone retaining wall in the driest part of the South Island. The moss was pretty dry, too, and looks very different with some moisture.
Photo by Sam Kieschnick on iNaturalist. Probably would have got an ID sooner if the spore capsules were in evidence.
The genus was erected in 1801 by pioneering bryologist Johann Hedwig (1730 – 1799) in his work Species Muscorum Frondosorum, and named after Friedrich Wilhelm Weiss (1744–1826), a German lichenologist and botanist.
A widespread moss, found on all continents bar Antartica, and growing on many soil types. There are 90 others in the genus.
Alexandria, Aotearoa New Zealand.