135
5.2.1 Moss Bioindication of Homalothecium Lutescens
and Hypnum cupressiforme
In this study, we will be focused on pleurocarpous moss Hypnum cupressiforme
Hedw. (cypress-leaved plaitmoss), a common and widespread species of moss
belonging to the genus Hypnum. It is found in all continents except Antarctica and
occurs in a wide variety of habitats and climatic zones. It typically grows on tree
trunks, logs, walls, rocks, and other surfaces. It prefers acidic environments and is
quite tolerant of pollution. It was formerly used as a filling for pillows and mattresses – the association with sleep is the origin of the genus name Hypnum. The
genus comprises over 200 species worldwide and 18 in Europe (Mägdefrau 1982).
H. cupressiforme includes six varieties in Europe (Mägdefrau 1982). H. cupressiforme is a small- to medium-sized moss about 2–10 cm long. It is pleurocarpous,
having prostrate, creeping stems which form smooth, dense mats. The stems are
branched and covered in overlapping leaves giving the impression of a cypress tree.
The stem leaves are long and thin measuring 1.0–2.1 mm by 0.3–0.6 mm. They are
concave and sickle-shaped, tapering toward the tip. The branch leaves are smaller
and narrower than those on the stems. The moss produces short, cylindrical, and
slightly curved capsules which contain the spores. The capsules are 1.7–2.4 mm
long and have a lid-like operculum measuring 0.6–0.9 mm. They are borne on
reddish- brown stalks which are 1–2.5 cm long. The moss is dioicous, having separate male and female plants. H. cupressiforme is a highly variable species, and
numerous varieties have been described (Mägdefrau 1982).
Homalothecium lutescens is fairly robust, pale, or yellowish-green, with irregularly branched shoots that grow in loose, ascending tufts or as scattered stems. A
less common form grows prostrate and closely attached to rocks and boulders, especially on limestone. In both cases, the branches are stout (1–2 mm wide when dry),
fairly long (typically more than 1 cm), and straight or nearly so. The leaves are
about 2–3 mm long, triangularly spearhead-shaped, widest at the base, and taper
evenly to a finely pointed tip. They are distinctive in having very strong pleats
lengthways along the leaf, as in H. sericeum. The margins are only weakly and
finely toothed. Capsules occur less frequently than in H. sericeum and are 1.5–2 mm
long and slightly curved. Normal forms differ from H. sericeum in the long, straight
branches and irregular, lax habit. However, prostrate plants on rocks or rocky,
coastal banks may only be identifiable if capsules are present (straight, 2–3 mm
long in H. sericeum; slightly curved and 1.5–2 mm long in H. lutescens).
Brachythecium glareosum also has strongly pleated leaves, but with a very finely
attenuated, hair-like, and often twisted leaf tip. The stems of Tomentypnum nitens
are covered by a felt of rhizoids, and it occurs in mires and flushes. Eurhynchium
striatum leaves have longitudinal folds, but are broadly triangular and remain
spreading when dry. Ptychodium plicatum grows at high altitudes in Scotland and
can be distinguished by its numerous miniatures, leaf-like outgrowths on the stem.
Brachythecium albicans grows with H. lutescens in some habitats (e.g., sand dunes)
but has more slender, string-like, very pale green shoots, only about 1 mm wide. The
5 Proposing Chemometric Tool for Efficacy Surface Dust Deposition Tracking…
5.2.1 Moss Bioindication of Homalothecium Lutescens
and Hypnum cupressiforme
In this study, we will be focused on pleurocarpous moss Hypnum cupressiforme
Hedw. (cypress-leaved plaitmoss), a common and widespread species of moss
belonging to the genus Hypnum. It is found in all continents except Antarctica and
occurs in a wide variety of habitats and climatic zones. It typically grows on tree
trunks, logs, walls, rocks, and other surfaces. It prefers acidic environments and is
quite tolerant of pollution. It was formerly used as a filling for pillows and mattresses – the association with sleep is the origin of the genus name Hypnum. The
genus comprises over 200 species worldwide and 18 in Europe (Mägdefrau 1982).
H. cupressiforme includes six varieties in Europe (Mägdefrau 1982). H. cupressiforme is a small- to medium-sized moss about 2–10 cm long. It is pleurocarpous,
having prostrate, creeping stems which form smooth, dense mats. The stems are
branched and covered in overlapping leaves giving the impression of a cypress tree.
The stem leaves are long and thin measuring 1.0–2.1 mm by 0.3–0.6 mm. They are
concave and sickle-shaped, tapering toward the tip. The branch leaves are smaller
and narrower than those on the stems. The moss produces short, cylindrical, and
slightly curved capsules which contain the spores. The capsules are 1.7–2.4 mm
long and have a lid-like operculum measuring 0.6–0.9 mm. They are borne on
reddish- brown stalks which are 1–2.5 cm long. The moss is dioicous, having separate male and female plants. H. cupressiforme is a highly variable species, and
numerous varieties have been described (Mägdefrau 1982).
Homalothecium lutescens is fairly robust, pale, or yellowish-green, with irregularly branched shoots that grow in loose, ascending tufts or as scattered stems. A
less common form grows prostrate and closely attached to rocks and boulders, especially on limestone. In both cases, the branches are stout (1–2 mm wide when dry),
fairly long (typically more than 1 cm), and straight or nearly so. The leaves are
about 2–3 mm long, triangularly spearhead-shaped, widest at the base, and taper
evenly to a finely pointed tip. They are distinctive in having very strong pleats
lengthways along the leaf, as in H. sericeum. The margins are only weakly and
finely toothed. Capsules occur less frequently than in H. sericeum and are 1.5–2 mm
long and slightly curved. Normal forms differ from H. sericeum in the long, straight
branches and irregular, lax habit. However, prostrate plants on rocks or rocky,
coastal banks may only be identifiable if capsules are present (straight, 2–3 mm
long in H. sericeum; slightly curved and 1.5–2 mm long in H. lutescens).
Brachythecium glareosum also has strongly pleated leaves, but with a very finely
attenuated, hair-like, and often twisted leaf tip. The stems of Tomentypnum nitens
are covered by a felt of rhizoids, and it occurs in mires and flushes. Eurhynchium
striatum leaves have longitudinal folds, but are broadly triangular and remain
spreading when dry. Ptychodium plicatum grows at high altitudes in Scotland and
can be distinguished by its numerous miniatures, leaf-like outgrowths on the stem.
Brachythecium albicans grows with H. lutescens in some habitats (e.g., sand dunes)
but has more slender, string-like, very pale green shoots, only about 1 mm wide. The
5 Proposing Chemometric Tool for Efficacy Surface Dust Deposition Tracking…