Twisted star moss closeup

Description:

Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) Weber & Mohr. (synonyms include Tortula ruralis and T. ruraliformis). Gametophytes. When in a more lush condition, the leaves are usually a fairly deep green but can also appear light green-yellow as above. The leaves are tinged with red and are sub-clapsing as the base, squarrose and recurved when moist. When dry they can appear black.The spinulose awns can be as long as 0.5 to 0.75 the length of the leaf blade, sometimes shorter, and appear whitish but are mainly a translucent (hyaline) and with some reddish coloration often at the tip or base.. Grows both in soil and on rocks, often in cracks and with other other mosses. Here is it growing in a less common situation on a flat rock surface being held by connecting growth that extends to where there is soil, and the lichens are providing it with some stability since it isn't ability to affix itself to rock surfaces like say a Grimmia . The lower section section above was about the size of a small pancake and lifted right off the rock surface without any resistance.Feb. 4, 2012, Salt Lake County, Utah, approx. 4,950 ft. elev.