More generally, species like Hypopterygium are also called Umbrella Moss. Under the microscope we can quickly see that the leaves are unusually arranged with lateral rows and a smaller ventral row. The leaves themselves also look incredibly beautiful with cells forming a spikey structure.

In January 2024, I came across Hypopterygium in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time. This moss species will always look like a tiny palm tree to me when seeing the shoots (see my profile banner photo).

This is the feathery bogmoss Sphagnum cuspidatum. Collected in Sweden during November 2025. The first photo really highlights the hidden architecture that lets peat mosses and wetlands hold water. (It's also called the toothed feather moss for obvious reasons - it has cute toothed leaf tips!)

The blunt-leaved bogmoss Sphagnum palustre as seen under the microscope in monochrome. Collected during October 2025 in Denmark.

Beautiful cells of an unknown moss species that I found growing within the pavement on my way to the lab.