Lichen 1 -Physcia stellaris

Lichen 1 - Physcia stellaris

Name: Physcia stellaris
Common Name: Rosette Lichen
Family: Physciaceae
Collection Date: 10/06/2016
Habitat: Growing on rock and/ or tree bark 
Location: Nelson Ledges  
Description: Grayish in color; foliose structures

Keying Guide used: BLAST
Keying Steps: Nucleotide blast - Highly Similar (Mega blast)  - *Enter DNA Sequence* 1e-103 : 90% Identity - Physic stellaris
Keying Guide Source: Retrieved November 3, from BLAST https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cg

                                                               Figure1 :  Physcia stellaris sample 

Moss 4 - Leucobryum albidium

Moss 4 - Leucobryum albidium

Name: Leucobryum albidium
Common Name: Little pincushion moss
Family: Leucobryaceae 
Collection Date: 10/20/2016
Habitat: Growing in small mound/clump near base of tree on the edge of the woods that surrounded a swamp
Location: 3-D Ranch Bristolville, OH
Description:  Very short, whitish-green clump of moss











Figure 1: Leucobryum albidium


















Figure 2: Measurement of stem and leaves in cm

Keying Guide used: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Keying Steps: From: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians p 17 Acrocarp - Lance-leafed with no midrib,  Key II p 342-350
1.) Plants gray or whitish green (dry) to light green (wet); shoots very densely packed together forming domed mounds.  Leaves tubular in upper half and seemingly with out mid rib ... 2 2.) Stems less than 1 cm. tall; leaves 2-4mm long; often with capsules ... Leucobryum albidum 
Keying Guide Source: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from Project MUSE database.

Fungi 3 - 1. Agaricus campestris

Fungi 3 Agarics campestris

Name: Agaricus campestris
Common Name: Pinkie mushroom, Meadow mushroom , Field mushroom
Family: Agaricaceae
Collection Date: 09/2016
Habitat: Grass in cemetery
Location: Cemetery in Bristolville Ohio - Name of cemetery unknown
Description:  Whitish cap and stipe with pink lamellae






Figure 1 : Bounty of Agaricus campestris picked form cemetery for consumption

Keying Guide used: Mushrooms Demystified - Key to the Agaricaceae 
Keying Steps: Key to the Agaricaceae (Agaricus) p 314 1.) Not as above; odor not phenolic; base of stalk typically not staining yellow (but may stain yellow-orange or orange) if staining yellow than sweet odor...7 7.) Not as above (odor rarely slightly almonds, but if so then flesh reddening when cut)...25 25.) Not as above (but cap and flesh may have reddish stains in old age or wet weather)...38 38.) Not as above; veil not sheath like or sandlike and/or stalk with central hollow in age... 39 39.) Cap white or whitish when fresh (but may discolor tan, yellowish or buff in age)...40 40.) Not as above; smaller and/or habitat different... 42 42.) Not as above; typically larger (cap 3cm broad or more; stalk 5mm thick or more)...44 44.) Not as above...45 45.) Not as above...46 46.) Growing in the open(usually in grass, occasionally in hard-packed soil); veil typically then and somewhat cottony, forming only a slight annulus om stalk or disappearing ; gills usually pink or brownish in button stage...47 47.) Cap white or sometimes with pale brown to grayish fibrils or scattered scales; very common and widespread ... A. campestris 
Keying Guide Source: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press.

Fungi 5 - 1. Entoloma abortivum

Fungi 5 - Entoloma abortivum

Name: Entoloma abortivum
Common Name: Aborted Entoloma, Shrimp of the Woods
Family: Entolomataceae
Collection Date: 10/16/2016
Habitat: Growing on and around beech and other hardwoods
Location: Camp Asbury - Hiram Ohio
Description: White clumps, bumpy with pinkish/orangish tint on inside








Figure 1: E. abortivum growing wild 
                                                                                                                                  
Keying Guide used: Mushrooms Demystified - Key to Entoloma 
Keying Steps: Key to Entoloma 1.) Not as above; cap blue, gray, black, grayish-brown, grayish-yellow, olive brown, whitish, etc. (but may be dusted pinkish by spores)...2 2.) Cap gray to grayish-brown and gills usually decurrent "aborted" fruiting bodies often found (infected by mycelium of Armillariella mellea) that are whitish to pinkish-tan and bumpy on the outside, marbled within... E. abortivum
Keying Guide Source: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press.










                                                                                                        Figure 2: E. abortivum picked
                        

Fungi 4 - Pholiota squarrosoides

Fungi 4 - Pholiota squarrosoides

Figure 1: Pholiota squarrosoides after picking


















Figure 2: Pholiota squarrosoides dried- underside of cap

Name: Pholiota squarrosoides
Common Name: Shaggy Scalycap
Family: Strophariaceae
Collection Date: 10/16/2016
Habitat: Decomposing stump
Location: James H. Barrow Field Station - Hiram College - Hiram Ohio
Description: Yellowish whitish scaly/spiney

Keying Guide used: Mushrooms Demystified - Key to Philota
Keying Steps: Key to Philota p385 1.) Not typically growing in ashes...3 3.) Not as above (if blue-greenish when young found in Eastern North America)...4 4.)Growing on wood (occasionally buried) or in wood chip mulch...5 5.) Not as above...6 6.) Not growing when the snow is melting, or if so then not as above...7 7.) Not as above; color or habitat different or stalk thinner and/or scalier...8 8.) Not with above features...9 9.) Not as above; if brightly colored then cap bald or with few scattered fibrillose veil remnants (one species tawny to whitish with erect or recurved scales)...11 11.) Not with above features...12 12.) Cap and stalk with prominent erect or recurved scales (which may be obliterated or flattened somewhat in age); stalk typically less than 1.5 cm thick...13 13.) Cap often dry at first but a viscid layer beneath the scales usually evident in age; gills not greenish tinged; o wood or ground...14 14.) Typically found on hardwood stumps or logs; cap and stalk very scaly when young, the scales tawny or paler... P. squarrosoides
Keying Guide Source: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press.

Fungi 2 - 1. Cyathus striatus

Fungi 2 : Cyathus striatus

Figure 1: side view of Cyathus striatus

Name: Cyathus striatus
Common Name: Bird's nest fungus
Family: Nidulariaceae
Collection Date: 10/07/2016
Habitat: Growing amongst / on mulch
Location: Hiram College Hurd Garden - Hiram Ohio
Description: Small, fingertip sized funnel/cups cinnamon colored on outside with dark brown almost black periodoles (eggs)






                                                                                                 Figure 2: Cyathus striatus growing in/on mulch


Keying Guide used: Mushrooms Demystified- Key to the Nidulariales
Keying Steps: Key to the Nidulariales p 779 1.) Not as above; fruiting body cylindrical to mug or cup-shaped when mature, containing more than one egg...2 2.) Not as above fruiting body typicaly with "lid" when very young, the nest usually well formed and persistent, eggs may or my not be imbedded in a mucilage...4 4.) Eggs white to gray, brown or black, often (but not always) attached to side of nest by a minute cord or short stalk, not imbedded in a mucilage, sides of nest vertical or tapered...6 6.) Interior of nest long longitudinally striate (with distinct radial groves) ... Cyathus striatus
Keying Guide Source: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press. 

Fungi 6 - 1. Armillaria gallica

Fungi 6 - Armillaria gallica

Figure 1: Armillaria gallic growing with Entoloma Abortivum







                                                                                                          Figure 2: Close up of cap and partial veil 

Name: Armillaria gallica
Common Name: Honey Mushroom
Family: Armillariaceae
Collection Date: 10/16/2016
Habitat: Growing around/ on base of beech tree
Location: Camp Asbury - Hiram Ohio
Description: brownish red cap with some scales/hairs whitish partial veil and stipe.
Keying Guide used: MycoKey.org
Keying Steps:  Type of fungi: mushroom with gills. - Ecology: On wood - Partial Veil: membraneous  - Lamellae: Shortly decurrent - Pilus: Arched to semiglobose - Stipe: Ring present - Lamellae color: White to grayish cream - Stipe color: Buff to pale brown - Pileus surface: Scaly - Pileus surface color: Vivid brown - Armillaria genus - Armillaria gallica
Keying Guide Source: Retrieved November 10, 2016, from http://www.mycokey.org/agaric1.shtml?language=uk&localLanguage=uk&searchMode=easy&atlasmode=false

Fungi - 1 Grifolia frondosa

Grifolia frondosa - Fungi 1

Figure 1: G. frondosa growing at base of oak tree 

Name: Grifolia frondosa
Common Name: Hen of the Woods, Sheepshead
Family: Meripilaceae
Collection Date: 9/22/2016
Habitat: Growing at base of hardwood trees especially around oaks
Location: Chagrin Reservation - Chagrinfalls Ohio
Description: shelf-like with "leaves" white underside with gray to brown surface

Keying Guide used: Mushrooms Demystified - Key to Polyporus, Albatrellus and Allies
Keying Steps: Key to Polyporus, Albatrellus and Allies p 555 1.) Pores confined to underside of cap (or decurrent stalk), reddening in only a few cases... 2 2.) Fruiting body wood-inhabiting (on wood or roots or near the bases of tree stumps)...3 3.) Stalk not black at base, or if so then pores larger and/or fruiting body compound... 5 5.) Not as above (larger or with different habitat or color, etc.); not drying bone-hard...6 6.) Not as above; if growing on wood above ground then fruiting body larger or compound...9 9.) Not with above features...10 10.)Fruiting body compound i.e. with many small overlapping caps or segments arising from a common, often branched base; fairly common in eastern North america, especially with hardwoods, but rare in West; spores smooth...11 11.) Not with above features...28 28.) Caps usually spoon or fan shaped; caps off-center to lateral ... Grifolia frondosa
Keying Guide Source: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press.

Moss 3 - 1. Leucobryum glaucum

Moss 3 - Leucobryum glaucum  




















Figure 1: Leucobryum glaucum  

Name: Leucobryum glaucum 
Common Name: Pincushion moss
Family: Leucobryaceae 
Collection Date:10/20/2016
Habitat: Base of Pin oak tree, near a swamp
Location: 3-D Ranch Bristolville, OH
Description: Tall, almost trailing whitish-green moss













Figure2: Stem measurement in cm

Keying Guide used: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Keying Steps: From: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians p 17. acrocarp Lance-leafed with no midrib - Key II p 342-350 1.) Plants gray or whitish green (dry) to light green (wet); shoots very densely packed together forming domed mounds; leaves tubular in upper half and seemingly with out midrib...2 2.) Stems 1-9 cm tall; leaves 4-8 cm long; rarely with capsules... Leucobryum glaucum 
Keying Guide Source: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Source for family Name:Orthotrichum stellatum Brid. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2016, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ORST3

Slime Mold 1 - Arcyria denudata

Slime Mold 1- Arcyria denudata

Figure 1: Arcyria denudata sample growing on rotting wood 

Name: Arcyria denudata
Common Name: Pink Carnival Candy Slime Mold
Family: Arcyriaceae
Collection Date: 10/06/2016
Habitat: Dead and decaying wood
Location: Nelson Ledges
Description: small, pinkish with capillitium
Keying Guide used: Discover Life - Mycetozoa GSMPN
Keying Steps: 1.) Fruiting Body Type- Sporangium 2.) Spore Mass Color - Bright 3.) Perineum With Lime - No 4.) True Capillitium - Yes ... Arcyria denudata
Keying Guide Source: Retrieved November 10, 2016, from http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Mycetozoa_GSMNP

Moss 2 - Orthotrichum stellatm

Moss-2 Orthotrichum stellatum

Figure 1: Orthotrichum stellatm leaf part I












                                                                                         

                                                                                            Figure 2: Orthotrichum stellatum  leaf part II

                                                                                 
Name: Orthotrichum stellatum
Common Name: N/A
Family: Orthotrichaceae
Collection Date: 9/8/2016
Habitat: Growing on bark around lower half and roots of tree.
Location: Hiram college
Description: Short, dark green leaves, born out as they go down stem/die off. Individual leaves visible to naked eye.    

Figure 3: Dried sample of Orthotrichum stellatum

Keying Guide used: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Keying Steps: From: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians (p 17) Acrocarp Lance shape, veined Key II (p 342-350) 1: Plants dark green, yellow green or brownish black, shoots loosely associated or in densely packed, not domed mounds; leaves flat or folded but not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at base of leaf - 3 3: Plants on soil, rocks, trees or logs in dry areas; leaves not folded at base -4 4: Leaf surface not rippled or wavy when wet- 9 9: Leaves less than 4mm long - 21 21: Leaves spreading in various directions or barely diverging from stem when wet; plants lacking brood branchlets - 22 22: Plants 0.2 - 2 cm long - 34 34: Plants growing on bark of trees - 35 35: Shoots grow in clusters, not connected creeping stems - 36 36: Capsules surrounded by leaves, stalks not or barely visible - 37 37: plants 3-5mm tall capsule hoods hairless - (p103) Orthotrichum stellatum 
Keying Guide Source: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Source for family Name:Orthotrichum stellatum Brid. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2016, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ORST3

Moss 1 - Compylophyllum hispidulum

Moss-1 Compylophyllum hispidulum 



















Figure 1: Compylophyllum hispidulum


                                                                                                                                             Figure 2: Leaf close-up
Name: Compylophyllum hispidulum 
Common Name: N/A
Family: Amblystegiaceae
Collection Date: 9/8/2016
Habitat: Growing on flat rock surface
Location: Hiram college
Description: Light green, branching, creeping/horizontal growth with very small leaves.

Figure 3: Dried sample of Compylophyllum hispidulum 

Key Used: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.

Keying Steps: From: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians (p 17) - Pleurocarp - ovate, no vein - Key XI (p 369-375) 1: Branches not flattened; leaves appear to come off all around stem, more or less 3-D - 12 12: Leaves mostly a single color - 13 13: stem green to brown, not particularly contrasting with leaves; mosses of various sizes -17 17: Plants of dry to very moist habitats, not submerged or kept constantly wet- 23 23: Branches appear fuzzy or bristly, wet or dry; leaves wide-spreading nearly at right angle to stem -24 24: Plants very small; leaves < 1mm long, tip furrowed to form U-shaped channel - (p 307) - Campylophyllum hispidulum
Source Key Used: McKnight, K. B. & Rohrer, J. R. & Ward, K. M. & Perdrizet, W. J.(2013). Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Family name retrieved from:Campylium hispidulum. (2015). Retrieved October 11, 2016, from http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Campylium hispidulum

Liverwort 2 - Aneura pinguis

Figure 1:   Aneura pinguis growing on rocks 
Name: Aneura pinguis
Common Name: Greasewort
Family: Aneuraceae
Collection Date: 9/22/2016
Habitat: Growing on rock surface
Location: South Chagrin Reservation - Chagrin Falls Ohio
Description: Liverwort appears shiny / "greasy" bright green growing on rock surface
Key Used: Bosanquet, S. (n.d.). Field Key to common and/or distinctive mosses and liverworts. (p21-58)
Keying Steps: 1: Plant without distinct leaves-5 5:thallus without gemmae in receptacles -8 8: Upper surface without polygonal markings and pores -11 11: plants deep or vivid green; growing in various habitats-15 15:Thallus 3mm wide or more-19 19:Mid rib not well defined-23 23:Plants vivid mid-green with greasy appearance; thalli parallel-sided; margins curved upward ... Aneura pinguis
Keying Guide Source: Bosanquet, S. (n.d.). Field Key to common and/or distinctive mosses and liverworts. (p21-58)

Liverwort 1 - Conocephalum concium

Figure 1:   Conocephalum concium Growing on rock surface

Name: Conocephalum concium
Common Name: Snakeskin Liverwort
Family: Conocephalaceae
Collection Date: 9/22/2016
Habitat: Growing on rock surface
Location: South Chagrin Reservation - Chagrin Falls Ohio
Description: Liverwort appears scale with very visible polygonal structures centered by a dot (pore).  Drake green towards center and brighter green on outer edges.

Figure2 : Conocephalum concium close - up with polygonal markings
Key Used: Bosanquet, S. (n.d.). Field Key to common and/or distinctive mosses and liverworts. (p21-58)

Keying Steps: 1: Plant without distinct leaves-5 5:thallus without gamma in receptacles -8 8: Upper surface with polygonal markings; a more or less raised pore in the center of each polygon-9 9: Thallus usually >1cm wide; pores on upper surface easily visible to naked eye; scales on lower surface not overlapping one another - Conocephalum concium
Keying Guide Source: Bosanquet, S. (n.d.). Field Key to common and/or distinctive mosses and liverworts. (p21-58)

Algae - Microcystis

Figure 1: Microcystis under scope

Name: Microcystis

Common name: Cyanobacteria
Family: Microcystaceae
Collection Date: N/A- provided unknown sample by lab professor
Habitat: Pond
Location: James H. Barrow Field Station Duck Pond
Description: Colonial green cells without any apparent organelles.  Random shape of colony, somewhat circular.  

Key Used: Landcare Research online guide- identification - freshwater algae- http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guideIdentification
Process Steps:  a.)Selection of habit: Alga are colonial b.)Colour of cell contents: Green or blue-green c.)Do the cells contain organelles?: Cells lack organelles d.) Colony Type: Cells small irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly.  

e.)Cells Small irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly: cells small, packed densely in mucilage, forming randomly shaped colonies.
Key to Identification :Freshwater Algae. (1996-2016). Retrieved September 7, 2016, from http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guide
Family Name: M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2016. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 13 October 2016.