Exploring Mosses
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Exploring and Observing Mosses
Take a walk into nearly any natural area in Jefferson County and you’re sure to see phenomenal examples of the mosses that call this area home.
From tiny mosses growing on the sturdy surface of a granite boulder, to dramatic mosses that coat and drip from native trees, magical mosses are truly all around us.
In the Mosses virtual nature walk, biologist Tracy Hudson will introduce us to several easy-to-find species around our homes and in local forests.
After watching the virtual nature walk below, you'll find a set of resources and activities lower on the page.
Exploring Mosses Virtual Nature Walk with Lead Naturalist Tracy Hudson
Exploring Mosses Resource Recommendations from Tracy Hudson:
Recommended Exploring Mosses Activities from Tracy Hudson:
Chose a focal species to study more in depth. Here is the common mosses list from Tracy so that you can select one:
- Oregon Beaked Moss (Kindbergia oregana)
- Menzies’ Tree Moss (Leucolepis acanthoneura)
- Badge Moss (Plagiomnium insigne)
- Stairstep Moss (Hylocomium splendens)
- Cat’s Tail Moss (Isothecium stoloniferum)
- Electrified Cat’s Tail Moss or Rough Goose Neck Moss (Hylocomiadelphus triquetrus)
- Neckera (Neckera Menziesii)
- Broom Moss (Dicranum sp.)
- And two bonus mosses:
- Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum sp)
- Pocket Moss (Fissidens sp) - note that a hand lens is required for this one
Follow #bryophyte on Instagram.
Check out the Ologies podcast interview with the Robin Wall Kimmerer.