Dicranum scoparium, the Broom moss, is a species of dicranid moss

Dicranaceae

Dicranaceae is a family of mosses in class Bryopsida. Species within this family are dioicous. Genera in this family include Campylopus and Dicranoloma.-Classification:The family Dicranaceae contains the following genera:...

, native to North America, including the Great Lakes

Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...

 region. It usually forms tufts or mats on soil in dry to moist forested areas. Broom moss can be distinguished by its leaves, which strongly curve to one side.

Description

Broom moss is usually robust and coarse, forming shiny tufts with woolly stems 2–8 cm high. The leaf midrib extends to the tip and usually has 4 ridges along its back. The leaves are 3.5–8 mm long, lance-shaped with a long, slender point, and strongly toothed along the upper third. Most leaves will be folded and curved to one side, but may be wavy. Capsules are 2.3–5 mm long, urn-shaped and curved. The capsules are held on mostly-erect stalks 18–35 mm long. The operculum

Operculum (bryozoa)

In the bryozoan order Cheilostomata, the operculum is a calcareous or chitinous lid-like structure that protects the opening through which the polypide protrudes....

(capsule lid) is usually longer than the capsule.

Distribution

Broom moss can be found across North America (except Labrador, North Dakota, Texas and Nevada), Europe, Asia, as well as in Australia and New Zealand