Baffling Bryophytes

It’s a whole New World!!

I entered a new world yesterday! A deep and mysterious world full of baffling words and morphological characteristics that I hadn’t experienced since Brian Coppins taught me the rudimentaries of Lichenologising a few months ago. That world is the world of Bryophytes!

(See Below, it’s a Bryophyte by the way!!)

And if you wanted to know the difference between a Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and a

Thuidium tamariscinum, then you’d usually approach the gentleman with the long beard, usually on his hands and knees or half way up a mountainous scree slope, peering at substrate with a hand lense permanantly attached to his eyeball! That was until now my friends.

Oliver Moore, our new Natural Talent Bryologist, has no beard, although he may grow one in future years. However, he can certainly tell you a few things about Bryophytes. And under the guidance of the gang at the Botanics, David Long, Liz Kungu ad David Chamberlain (pictured above with Oliver) , the future of Bryologising looks healthy, and less prone to facial hair. Although there is nothing wrong with facial hair per say. Just look at Kenny Rodgers, or Bjorn Borg? Quality face furniture.

So welcome Oliver. Our latest recruit to the Natural Talent family. BTCV are really looking foward to welcoming you into the ‘family’ and we hope you enjoy your apprenticeship and your time here in Scotland.

Another Bryophyte, Sphagnum capillifoluim ssp rubellum i think?