Polytrichum spp.; hair-cap moss [Polytrichaceae]  Among the largest and most conspicuous of mosses with erect stems to 12” tall.  Pointed leaves arranged spirally around the stem.  Often found in fairly dense colonies in moist acidic soils.  Unusual among mosses for having specialized internal vascular tissues.  The genus name and the common name both refer to the densely hairy calyptra or cap that covers the developing sporophyte.  At least 8 species of Polytrichum are found in Wisconsin.  [003]

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