Common Mosses of Western Oregon and Washington provides the beginning bryologist a key to 200 species of mosses found west of the Cascades, including a few of the most common species found on both sides of the mountains. Keys for any plant group can be challenging, but the introductory section gently teaches the steps necessary for accurate identification, including the use of a microscope as an essential tool. The many close-up photographs are also a boon.
Authors Bruce McCune and Martin Hutten recognize this is just a sampling of the more common mosses of our region, expressing much respect for the 1971 comprehensive moss flora by Elva Lawton that included 598 species. “We hope that one of you using this key will eventually produce a new moss flora for the Pacific Northwest. This is one of the mossiest places in the world, and beautiful because of it.”
Published in the December 2019 Leaflet for Scholars, Volume 6 Issue 12.