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Bristly Haircap

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Polytrichum piliferum
Polytrichum piliferum (b, 113339-471137) 7699.jpg
Scientific classificationedit
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Bryophyta
Class: Polytrichopsida
Order: Polytrichales
Family: Polytrichaceae
Genus: Polytrichum
Species:
P. piliferum
Binomial name
Polytrichum piliferum

Hedw.
Synonyms[1]

Synonyms

Polytrichum piliferum, the bristly haircap, is an evergreen perennial species of moss in the family Polytrichaceae.[2] The bristly haircap moss is small-sized to medium-sized and forms loose tufts[3] with wine-reddish stems.[4] It is an acrocarpous moss that appears bluish-green to grey.[5] This moss grows in clumps on erect shoots and becomes a red-brown colour as it grows older.[6] The most distinguishing feature of P. piliferum is the long, white awn at the tips of the leaves, which also give this moss its grey colour.[5] It is the only species in its genus where the awn is completely hyaline.[6]