Grimmia pulvinata spores (click to enlarge)
Grimmia pulvinata sporophyte in which our spores were taken from. This sample is from the UBC Herbarium at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm. ex Sm. & Sowerby – Bryopsida
Description of spores: Smooth, spherical, a lot of spores from one sporangium
(in the image above, it appears to have grooves and bumps however it is due to the collapse of the spore wall from the vacuum and gold plating)
Size:12 μm in diameter
Habitat: Found frequent in dry climates and on rocks and concrete located in urban areas.
Dispersal Mechanism: Hygroscopic endostome teeth flick spores out of the sporangia into turbulent air
Predicted spore adaptation: Relatively small in size therefore can be picked up by wind with ease. It is smooth so it decreases drag from the wind which allows it to be dispersed further away. Smooth spore surfaces prevent the spores from sticking to the substrate and allow it to roll away from nearby spores and further disperse.
Moss Spores & sem 