When I started with hermetospheres, mosses were not my first priority. They sometimes came as a stowaway with other plants, and I usually let them grow. They did not trouble and formed a welcome ground cover. Moss first caught my attention when spore capsules developed on long, thin stems in my very first hermetosphere jar. Only then I began to appreciate the beauty of these delicate structures.
Based on a picture posted, the community suggested Leptobryum pyriforme as identification. A deep dive into literature taught me that for a solid identification of mosses, specialist knowledge and often a microscope is necessary. However, after consultation of drawings and pictures in literature, L. pyriforme seemes to be a good guess for me. As is often the case with mosses, the natural range of this species is vast: “The moss Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson is known as a cosmopolitan and pioneer species. The occurrences of this species are reported from broad geographical ranges, even from Antarctica. The high productivity of small size spores seems to advantage for the dispersal and broad distribution of this species.” (Kengo and Satoshi 2012)
In the future I will try to use mosses more deliberately in my jars. A first selection of mainly tropical mosses is made: Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga and Octoblepharum albidum are currently growing in propagation containers and wait to be used for my next projects.
Hermetospheres 
One response to “A tiny cosmopolitan”
Looking forward to learning more about mosses. Although they are plants they have some interesting characteristics. They are so important for holding water.
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