The Wet, The Dry And The New

These are all images of the same species of moss growing on my garage roof. In its hydrated form it is fresh and vibrant with its leaves open as in the above image.

In these images it is dry to getting hydrated. It is quite amazing to watch how moss instantly gathers water when but a few drops are sprinkled on a dry mat of it. Within seconds it plumps up and begins to green or yellow up.

I believe the image below shows newly formed growth.

Photograph of Intermediate Screw-moss (Syntrichia intermedia) taken October 2016, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens. Manual setting ISO 800. 1/125 sec. f/6.3. No flash, hand-held.

 

Moss On The Roof

Intermediate Screw-moss (Syntrichia intermedia)

My garage roof has steadily succumbed to a covering of this wonderful moss over the years, which makes it look a lot more interesting than just covered in tiny white shards of gravel.  I decide to get the ladders out and have a close look-see, and amidst the open shoots which the recent rain has brought forth, are newer leaves ready to open up.

Photograph of Intermediate Screw-moss (Syntrichia intermedia) taken October 2016, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens. Manual setting ISO 800. 1/125 sec. f/6.3. No flash, hand-held.

Intermediate Screw-moss

Syntrichia intermedia

I have had this moss growing on my garage roof for years, and it has virtually covered all of it. It shrivels up to a brown crisp in very dry weather, and yet as soon as a drop of rain falls it immediately expands like a sponge and greens up.

A dull green to golden green moss which grows in tufts or loose cushions. The stems grow to a height of 1 to 4cm. The leaves are about 4mm long and are slightly narrowed at the halfway point, the lower margin having recurved margins. The tip is rounded and flat. The leaves spread out widely from the stem when wet, and when dry they are spirally twisted or incurved. Dry leaves may also appear pointed, making them seem tapered at the tip instead of rounded. The reddish-brown nerve projects from the leaf tip into a long, silvery white hair point which has small, coarse teeth. The capsules are cylindrical and erect, ripening to a reddish-brown colour. They appear in spring and summer, and are frequent.

Found on calcareous substrates such as roofs, calcareous rocks and walls. Also found on sunny, exposed stony ground. Common and widespread in most of lowland Britain, scarcer elsewhere.

Photographs of  Intermediate Screw-moss (Syntrichia intermedia) taken February 2014, on garage roof, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2014. Camera used Nikon D3200, with 18-15mm lens.