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, find a set of resources and activities on the page below.

Exploring Mosses Virtual Nature Walk with Lead Naturalist Tracy Hudson

Exploring Mosses Resource Recommendations from Tracy Hudson:

Books:

• Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Common Mosses of Western Oregon and Washington by Bruce McCune and Martin Hutten
• Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon
• Mosses and Other Bryophytes, an Illustrated Glossary, 2nd Ed by Bill and Nancy Malcom

Websites:

• iNaturalist.org is a powerful resource for information and local sighting histories and all aspects of natural history. Here’s a link to Tracy’s iNaturalist observations. If you need help with this resource, check out our iNaturalist Tutorial
• David Wagner’s fernzenmosses for the love of nature educational website
• British Bryological Society Field Guide website
• UBC Bryophytes blog
• Artist Camille Charnay’s website

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.