Zygodon conoideus
Observation - Zygodon conoideus - UK and Ireland. Description: On the roots of an exposed, mature ash. The structure of the gemmae (asexual reproductive structures
On the roots of an exposed, mature ash. The structure of the gemmae (asexual reproductive structures) makes separating the two similar and somewhat equally common Zygodon (Z. conoideus and Z. viridissimus) species easy. The plant is to be saturated with water and then the tops of a few shoots are to be brushed over a drop of water on a microscope slide before the slide is mounted. Even under relatively low power the structure of the gemmae can be seen (whether they are divided along the middle or not determines the species).