Sporophyte

During the early stages of development, the sporophyte is completely surrounded by a tough protective covering called the calyptra. As the sporophyte grows and enlarges, the calyptra is carried up into the air and eventually comes to sit atop the capsule like a tiny hood (a). When the sporophyte is mature, the calyptra is shed and the capsule is revealed (b). At the tip of the capsule is a lid (operculum) which, prior to spore dissemination, falls away exposing the so-called peristome teeth, a set of structures, often delicate and thread-like in appearance, that form a ring around the mouth (rim) of the capsule (c). The peristome teeth are perhaps the most characteristic feature of the mosses; usually composed of cell wall remnants, they respond to changes in the humidity of the atmosphere. Under conditions of low humidity, the teeth dry out and splay away from the mouth of the capsule, thus, allowing the commonly more than 50,000 spores within to be gradually released.

From: http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/mosses.html

Poison Ivy, Leaves of three — let them be!

poisonivy2

keep an eye out, wear long pants and tall socks when tramping through the woods and keep your eyes peeled for this plant, mostly grows where the earth has been disturbed and/or on the woods edge

What does Poison Ivy look like? Here’s information at a .org site.

These About.com pages explain treatments after exposure to Poison Ivy.

And here’s the Wiki about poison ivy.