Return

On the last Saturday of July I returned once again to Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, Connecticut (see previous post for that adventure) Tim Currier invited me to come back and see the progress on the garden he was building for Marc Keane, so of course I took him up on this offer! The following photographs document my visit:

Entrance Sign - hard to find if you don't know where to look. It's a good thing I already knew where this place was after passing it everyday - your GPS will tell you you're arriving there a few miles before you get there!
The stone barn.
Cool twig structure.
Cool truck.
The work site.
If you squint you can see that the stones snake around to create a ravine, if you squint harder you will see some red and yellow lines on the stones marking grade level, so there will be mosses covering up to those lines. The 3 large stones in the back are the Priests.
Tim displaying the patio - the only stones that did not come from his property. To his left will be a large stone/water feature.
Tim pretending he is the large tree that will occupy that space. There will also be a wooden boardwalk that will wrap around the 400 square foot garden.
Back to work.
Woman pressing Climacium dendroides into the labyrinth.

Pile of sifted "moss soil" - very soft and acidic.
Trays growing Climacium dendroides in a lowland area.
Moss chosen to work into planters...
...like this one. Beautiful.
Hypnum imponens growing out of Leucobryum glaucum.
Quercus evidence.
Wonderful layered texture of the tall deciduous trees, the twisted branches of the Kalmia and the dense, bubbly Leucobryum et. al. turf.
The shiny, curly leaves of Hypnum imponens.
Sun kissed.
:)

Connections

I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes when and why events occur seems to be a direct result of past occurrences; events that otherwise wouldn’t have occurred had some instance never happened prior. You could say it is the hand of fate weaving this interconnected tapestry. My life is filled with these silly coincidences – as if the universe has a plan for me. Maybe it does.

Last Saturday I found myself driving down a particular road past a wholesale nursery where I worked a few years ago – honestly a place I would rather forget. In all seriousness, the fondest memory I have of this place is driving down that road back home with the biggest smile on my face and laughing after my last day of working there.

Everyday I would drive past Sticks and Stones Farm. I knew they grew moss there, which was enough for me to want to visit! Yet it felt like something was telling me not to stop in; perhaps the universe didn’t want me to install a potentially wonderful memory among memories of a time in my life I didn’t want to remember.

My chance came three years later. I turned down their gravel road and walked towards a stone barn. I was greeted by Annie. I told her my reason for my visit: I was thinking of developing my grad thesis around the curation of bryophytes in public gardens. Seeing as how gardens can acquire plants through farms like this one, I wanted to learn how they do their thing. Annie was intrigued and delighted to have me there. She peeked around the side of the barn to find a young man named Andrew working with beautiful hand carved stone planters filled with moss. She told me he would be happy to answer some of my questions.

As we strolled around the property, Andrew told me the farm is technically a working preserve. Not only do they cultivate moss, but they also excavate large stone erratics from the property as well as hold workshops and retreats. We walked a path along the base of a hill side covered in Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) with a thick, unfragmented carpet of Leucobryum glaucum (pincushion moss) underneath as far up the hill as I could see - it looked immaculate! What was their secret? Well, I’m not going to give it away :)

Down in the lowland areas I could see hundreds of trays filled with Climacium dendroides. He showed me a labyrinth he was in the process of constructing. he tells me it is modeled after the one in Chartres Cathedral. The project was only partially filled with Climacium. He didn't want to continue since the moss he planted wasn't looking too happy. I commented that the area was pretty exposed under the thin, deciduous canopy and the gravel path didn't really provide a very saturated environment for that species, and that could explain its sad appearance.

When we arrived back up at the barn, Annie told me of a book she just started reading and thought I would enjoy it. I laughed when she retrieved a copy of Dr. Kimmerer’s book, Gathering Moss. She got a kick out of hearing about my connection to the author. At this point, Tim Currier, owner of the farm and Annie’s husband, came in. Annie served us a delicious banana-coffee milkshake as I told him the reason for my visit and my plans to begin grad school at Cornell. He mentioned he was just about to begin a Japanese-style moss garden project for a landscape architect-friend of his, Marc Keane, to be installed next spring at the Johnson Museum on the Cornell campus. He showed me some CAD drawings of this project titled, “The Garden of the Tiger Glen”. This future project will feature a 400 square foot area with a carpet of moss (Tim is thinking of using Mnium), an 18 inch deep ravine made of stone cutting through, three large stone “kings” and a large tree coming from Pennsylvania. Tim will build the garden onsite later this month (I plan to return later to check on the progress before I move to Ithaca). It will then be disassembled and transported to the campus. I am very excited that I stumbled onto this project when I did. I get to see it as Tim constructs it and the finished product next spring at Cornell! What are the odds…

But that’s not the only exciting that happened on my spontaneous excursion. Annie told Tim about my connection with Robin Kimmerer and he said that since reading her book he has wanted to view mosses under a microscope to see them as Robin describes. He then went to retrieve an old microscope he found in an old house he acquired on his property. He had no idea how to use it, but luckily for him he had all the essential instruments and a certain individual who knew exactly how to use them – me! We went out and I plucked a small bit of Mnium cuspidatum and Polytrichum commune and proceeded to mount them on slides. Only his 10X objective was functional, but it was enough to make him say “Wow!” when he stared down the eyepiece. He called over a couple other people to come and check it out – both with the same exclamation. Thirty years working with mosses and this was his first glimpse into what mosses really look like. Tim was absolutely delighted to have been taught this lesson and excitedly extended an invitation for me to come back whenever I wanted. If there was ever any work or studies I wanted to do with mosses, his property was available - which was amazing. As we parted he verbalized his hope of setting up a “moss camp” so that others can see what I revealed to him today, and of course I offered my services as an instructor.

And so there I was again driving down that road, the biggest smile on my face and laughing – so happy to have made those connections: between me and them, between them and moss, and between me, them, moss and Cornell. I love to reveal the mysteries of moss and see the people’s reactions; to show them something that is hidden to the naked eye, only viewable with an ocular aid.

So I arrived as if called by these people at a time when they needed me – just as they were going to begin this large project for a large university, just as they began reading Dr. Kimmerer’s book and needed help in getting a glimpse into the microscopic world of mosses. It's a pretty small world after all...

Note: I will add pictures once I return to check out the progress on the moss garden...I will remember my camera next time!

Wind

If I could pick out one card out of the Tarot deck to represent my life as of late it would be the Wheel of Fortune. I have been the victim of this force before. Perhaps you have been subjected to it's wheel-like actions, unexpected encounters, twists of fate, unpredictable surprises. Unfortunately sometimes it's energy can have adverse affects. You will start to feel your life speed up drastically, make you feel as if you were caught in a cyclone, depositing you somewhere unexpected, leaving you terrified, sick and disoriented. Only recently have I recovered from my storm; the clouds are clearing and I have found my way onto a path - but the winds haven't quite settled down yet...

I tallied it up. Since 2006 I have lived in 4 states and worked in 5. I have moved 8 times (9 come August) and have had 10 jobs. I look forward to the day where I only need to file one state tax return. It appears as if I am portraying myself as a restless nomad....

This time I'm not just going to ride the winds of change; I'm taking a more active approach. A little over a month ago I had to pack up my life (again) and move to the Hudson Valley in New York. I am working at a large private garden/estate there to bide my time before classes begin. There is very limited internet access here - which explains my long absence - I do apologize...

In keeping with the theme of this blog (though I am entitled to my non-sequiturs), let me discuss the importance of wind in the life of a moss.

Air movement is essential to the distribution of their progeny - an assurance of succession; at least of genetically variable offspring that can give their species an upper hand in colonization.

For the most part - and if you squint really hard - mosses overall have a similar morphology. You will see that they perch their spore-filled capsules on top of a (relatively) long seta. Why expel so much energy into producing such a long wirey stalk? I think to answer this question I should discuss the role of the boundary layer in the life of moss.


The Boundary Layer. Taken from Gathering Moss by Robin Kimmerer

Above is a diagram taken from Dr. Kimmerer's book, Gathering Moss (again, if you haven't already, go read this book!). The boundary layer is a phenomena that can be found on any surface - be it the surface of the earth, or the surface of a leaf. This diagram shows how air moves across a surface: the friction the air encounters as it brushes against the surface creates turbulence, the area just at the surface has very little air movement, and the area above the turbulence moves freely.

Mosses have created a perfect little niche living within this micro-boundary layer. Their lack of vascular tissue makes them tiny and perfectly adapted to living closer to a surface. What does living within the boundary layer provide? More heat, water and carbon dioxide can be trapped in this area and isn't easily blown away - especially after a moss has colonized it creating nice little pockets within its leaves to hold onto these precious elements.

But when it comes time to release the spores, they don't need heat, water or CO2, just the wind. So they poke their little capsules up through the turbulence into the free-flowing air to be whisked away to another suitable habitat. The wind can carry spores miles up into the atmosphere. It's no wonder they can be found on every continent; they certainly are perfectly adapted to go with the flow.

Recognition

I was quite excited to see that IAB blog generously acknowledged my blog after I commented on a photo of a super awesome, bryophyte-mimicking phasmid, Trychopeplus laciniatus


This species is found in Central America and as I understand it, not much is known about its relationship with bryophytes, but it's definitely spectacular looking!

On another note, today, after 8 months of wishing, studying, traveling, networking, intense energy focusing and anticipation, I have finally heard the news I have been waiting to hear: I have been selected as the new fellow for Cornell Plantations Graduate Fellowship in Public Garden Leadership! This year only one position was available for this fellowship making the waiting even more nerve-wracking. After hearing the news I promptly started jumping up and down, squealing, dancing, laughing, crying and in general going strait up bananas.

Ever since my curatorial internship at Mt. Cuba Center, I have set my sights on following (or perhaps in my case, blazing) a path to become a curator of a botanical garden. Talking with Amy Highland, the plant recorder at Mt. Cuba, enlightened me to the prospect that perhaps not all is lost in trying to find a career working with plants that did not involve retail/wholesale, angry/unreasonable customers, mindless deadheading/weeding, etc. It nearly blew my mind that there was someone out there who shared my passion for plant taxonomy, and I would spend the next several months working with her!

I figured the next step in my journey was to attempt to go back to school. Of course there are only 2 institutions who offer a Masters in this field: Cornell University and University of Delaware (Longwood Gardens Graduate Program). I really wanted to go back to upstate New York and Cornell was my chance! Plus I have an affinity for plants of the Northeast, sorry Piedmont...

Winter Garden at Cornell's Botanical Garden
Earlier this month I made a trip up to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to give a presentation to a selection committee consisting of directors, professors and fellows on my past, present and future interest in the public garden field - basically an interview. Of course I talked about my mossy endeavors at Mt. Cuba which seemed to strike an interest in the panel. But what really got them going was my announcement that I would potentially like to tackle the ever-so-controversial topic of the misuse of trademarks in horticulture for my "action project". This ignited a 10 minute tangent questioning the importance of nomenclature consistencies in horticulture between the members of the panel (everyone having their own opinion). At that point I could safely say that my presentation would not be forgettable, and perhaps that was a good thing.

Not only is Ithaca "Gorges" but it is also full of beautiful mosses (I wouldn't be myself if I didn't go mossing around the area). One in particular caught my eye during a little trip around town. I eventually found myself in front of Ithaca Falls, on the west side of campus, and there, covering a rock face was Bartramia pomiformis.


I had never seen this moss in the field, but using only memories of drawings in my moss books I instantly recognized this distinguishable species. This delicate moss forms bright green, loose turfs, that to me, create a texture reminiscent of Hakonechloa on a miniature scale. Perfectly round capsules float on short setae, giving them a celestial appearance. I just love the juxtaposition of textures between the gametophyte and sporophyte. The common name of this bryophyte is apple moss - alluding to the pome-like sporophytes.

Here's to embarking on new beginnings...

Where?

Welcome to part 3 of my 6 part series, Better Know Your Mosses!

This month's episode:

Where can you find mosses?

Well, yes, of course they are generally found is dark, moist areas. But there's more to a preferable mossy habitat than being shady and wet...

Mosses have adapted to be able to live in otherwise stressful areas, i.e., places that vascular plant cannot survive: where water availability fluctuates, where it is extremely windy (increases transpiration in vascular plants), or even where it is too hot and dry.

Basically, when it comes to competition, vascular plants win every time, there's no contest against these diminutive plants. Bryophytes have learned to colonize those niches that vascular plants cannot - so no, mosses are not taking over your lawn and killing your grass, that is just not possible, they are merely taking advantage of the areas where your grass doesn't want to grow (too shady, too acidic, etc.)

Really you can find species in a wide variety is habitats from completely submerged (Calliergonella cuspidata, Sphagnum spp.) to exposed rock faces (Andreaeobryum spp., Grimmia spp.) and everywhere in between. They have the ability to inhabit impermeable surfaces. Since they have no roots, they can live on tree trunks/branches, rocks, walls, etc.


Sphagnum species
Grimmia decipiens
Mosses are incredibly widespread. They can be found on all 7 continents. one species, Polytrichum juniperinum can actually be found on every continent - that same moss growing in your back yard can also be found living in Antarctica - how amazing is that??

That concludes my rambling on the "where" of mosses...next up, find out "how" mosses live like they do!

Networks

This past Saturday I attended a lecture at the USBG Conservatory in DC given by the Potomac Valley Rock Garden Society. The topic was "Designing with Native Mosses" given by Dr. Alice Waegel. I was especially excited to attend this talk not just because of the topic, but because of the speaker.

Moss Bank at Mt. Cuba Center in the spring. The ground cover below the dogwoods (Cornus florida) and tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera) is entirely moss with a cloud of bluets (Houstonia caerulea) a few Trillium species and bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Last year I was the curatorial intern at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware. During my 6 month stay there I had the opportunity to work with the mosses on their property. I had learned that a few year prior Dr. Alice Waegel, while on her sabbatical, came to Mt. Cuba and conducted a survey of the mosses on the property and wrote a document detailing where these mosses can be found. So I used this paper as a jumping off point for a survey of my own. I found 17 more mosses to add to the 15 she originally found. Although, for the sake of collection accuracy, I had to re-identify a couple of her findings. Ultimately I collected 32 total species, dried them and placed them in an archival quality compartmentalized box that now rests in the plant records office. Mt. Cuba hopes to add the mosses into their collection in the near future, I am satisfied in knowing that I had a significant part in their progress.

Mosses are incredibly hard to identify. Often you need a compound microscope to view the defining characteristics that are only visible under 400x - 1000x. Anyone who can give you more than the genus of a moss just by looking at it in the field is probably either 1. lying to you, or 2. already keyed it out with a microscope. I had to rely upon the kindness of the staff at Mt. Cuba to lend me some of their personal microscopes to key out these species. I spent many many many hours staring into the eye pieces - as is the life of any bryologist. It is not uncommon to literally spend days determining the name of just one moss...but it's totally worth it! I wrote up an accompanying document of these additional mosses explaining how they were identified and where they were found in the garden.

It was such a pleasure to get to talk to Dr. Waegel on Saturday. She was especially interested to hear about my stay at Mt. Cuba and my mossy project there, and that I was an advisee of Dr. Kimmerer (whose book she referenced often). I think she was able to convince the members of the Rock Garden Society to take a trip up to Mt. Cuba with all the amazing pictures she had of the property in her presentation. I may be slightly biased, but it is the most beautiful naturalistic garden you'll ever visit - call ahead for a tour!

What?

It's time for part 2 of my 6 part series: Better Know Your Mosses!

What exactly is a moss?

Mosses are non-vascular plants. This means they do not conduct water internally... for the most part. Some more advanced species like ones found within the Polytrichum and Mnium genera have primitive vascular tissue called hydroids and leptoids; analogous to xylem and phloem respectively. These tissues can be found in the stems and the costa (midrib) of higher mosses and facilitate in the transportation of water and nutrients. But as a whole bryophytes are considered non-vascular.

Mosses are spore-producing. Rather than spreading their progeny via seeds like vascular plants, mosses use spores. Here's how mosses have sex:

Augmented diagram of the lifecycle of a moss

from www.ohiomosslichen.org/MossID3.html

I numbered each step, I'll do my best to explain this as clearly as humanly possible:

1. If you pluck a piece of moss out of a clump this is what it looks like (though they do come in widely different shapes and sizes) The leafy green stuff that you see growing is the gametophyte (holds gametes) and the wirey thing with a capsule on top is a sporophyte (holds spores).

2. As the sporophyte slowly emerges from the top of the gametophyte it carries with is a piece of the old archegonial wall (see step 10). This little covering is the calyptra and may or may not be very conspicuous.

3. On top of the capsule is a tiny cap called an operculum. It covers the capsule opening while the spores ripen.

4. When the spores are ripe and ready the operculum will pop off revealing a peristome. This row of tiny teeth are thought to aid in the dispersal of spores.

5. The spores are released.

6. When a spore find a happy little spot it will begin to germinate. The filamentous green protonema emerges.

7. Small buds will appear on the protonema which will develop into a leafy plant: the gametophyte. Also forming are rhizoids: small root-like structures used to hold the moss to its substrate.

8. Shown here is a dioicous plant (moss version of being dioecious): male and female gametes (sperm and egg) on separate plants.

9. On the male plant antheridia will form, these house the sperm. On the female plant archegonia will form, each one with an egg. Only when water is available can the sperm be released and swim until they find an archegonium and travel down the neck to the egg - should they only be so lucky.

10. When the sperm fertilizes the egg a baby is born: a sporophyte, and life begins anew.

Sexual reproduction in mosses requires many factors to be in place at certain times and sometimes it just isn't worth the moss's trouble. Depending on the environmental conditions many mosses may choose to reproduce asexually through the use of vegetative propagules: gemma, brood bodies, paraphyllia, leaf fragments...

So how is the life cycle of a moss different from other plants? The difference lies in the dominant generation, i.e. the generation that you see walking around outside - sporophyte or gametophyte. The sporophyte always has a 2n condition (diploid: 2 sets of chromosomes). It is 2n because it is the product of a sperm and an egg combining which are 1n each (haploid: 1 set of chromosomes). In vascular plants the dominant generation is the sporophyte, i.e. the tree, the shrub. It is on the sporophyte (tree) that the gametophytes (sperm/egg) are borne. In mosses it is the reverse: the gametophyte is dominant: the sporophyte is borne and is dependent on the gametophyte.

That was about as simple as I could get it...

That concludes part 2...stay tuned for my next installment!