After Tucker Tower we headed back to camp for lunch. Energy would be needed for an afternoon hike on the Anadarche Creek Trail.
We pulled into a parking area across the road from this trail sign. There was another arrow that pointed to a trail. So we followed that arrow and the trail and it led us back to this sign and trail. LOL.
A thalloid liverwort that looks a bit dead.
However it must not dead since the green balls on top are the sporophytes. Perhaps that the purplish color is just what they do??
Further down the trail, Pogonatum brachyphyllum! This species is an easy one to spot because the persistent protonemal mat. The protonema is the first growth stage. The leaves of the moss are very short and at the base of the sporophyte only.
This trail was shaping up to be interesting! Here was a squamulose lichen (Cladonia) and mosses.
Turban Cap Lichen (Cladonia peziziformis) surrounded by mosses!
A beautiful patch!
Two slightly different colors but I think they were the same species.
After looking at just the photos in a moss book and a little internet sleuthing, I think this might be Leucobryum glaucum (Pincushion moss). Consulting with Jeanne, she says it might be that too. So I should have looked at my new moss book by Mahler but I forgot I had it. LOL.
The turban cap lichen site is interesting. I cannot imagine the world without butterflies.
Beautiful pogonatum! Lots of wonderful stuff along the trail for sure
What a nice trail for small green friends!