https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205623204
I'm pretty sure what I found outside was a small patch of Rhytidiadelphus loreus (commonly known as Lanky Moss). If you have spent any time outdoors in South East Alaska (which I'm guessing you have if you're in this course) you will see this moss just about everywhere, from rotting logs, living trees, the forest floor, and even rocks (Christant, Ferdy . "Lanky Moss." ). Indigenous uses for these plants and mosses in general are similar to the more contemporary uses for it, as it is acidic and has great moisture absorption and mild antibacterial properties, so it was and still is used for wound dressings and applying over small irritations to prevent further injury or infection (Viereck, Eleanor G. "ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES."). It also has constantly throughout history been used and an insulator in homes, cribs, diapers, and virtually anything that needs it. I have recently learned from David Lendrum of Landscape Alaska, that mosses are now being uses as a low maintanence option for lawns. This is due to the fact that they do not grow all that high, they quickly cover open landscape, have nice asthetics, and require virtually no maintanance. Overall this moss and mosses in general are ubiquitous with the forests in the South East and have innumerable amounts of practical applications.
Christant, Ferdy . "Lanky Moss." Jungle Dragon, 24 Nov. 2017, www.jungledragon.com/specie/5558/lanky_moss.html. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
Viereck, Eleanor G. "ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES." UAF.Edu, 12 Aug. 1987, www.ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/books/Viereck/vierecksphagnum.html. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
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I think that there are about 5 different mosses that look very similar to what I saw when I was taking pictures of the Lanky Moss that I sampled for my upload. We did not both choose the same spot to get our samples though, which is good. I am no expert, but more photos could help to identify this moss by where it is growing, what it is growing on, and because many of these mosses have different “blades” or “stalks” an up close of these parts would be very helpful in the identification.
I think a moss lawn would be quite nice visually, compared to grass the only possible issue would be water retention since most mosses don’t use a root system and instead absorb collected moisture from the air, the lawn would be quite wet and not really get dry to lay on or run through. However, it would be very easy to find lumpy spots and even out the ground underneath it. Simply make a cut along the edge, pull it back, even it out and then lay it back down not having to deal with any roots penetrating into the soil.
Hey, that's pretty cool that you found Lanky Moss! I've definitely seen it around here, but I didn't know all those uses for it. It's awesome that it's been used for wound dressings and stuff because of its antibacterial properties. And using it in homes and diapers? That's wild! I had no idea.
The thing about using it as a low-maintenance lawn option is super interesting too. I mean, who wouldn't want a lawn that you don't have to mow or take care of all the time? Plus, it looks nice, so that's a bonus. It's cool to think about how something so common around here can have so many different uses. Makes you appreciate the nature around us a bit more, doesn't it? It's like nature's Swiss Army knife, always ready with a solution for something. It's kind of amazing how these little plants have been helping people out for so long, and now they're even making our lawns easier to handle. It's just another reason to love the great outdoors around here.
Nice job on your choice of good sources, Jack, as well as your attention to correct formatting for the Works Cited entries! Your in-text citations are still incorrect, however, so please email me for guidance on that.
In addition, at least another photo showing the species up close -- so we could see its structure of growth -- is needed for help with identification and understanding. Thanks!
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