Moss/ Bryum Argenteum

Thanks very much Mark!

Brilliant science. Well done. :)

Miles! You were correct! It is the Bryum that is drying out, thus to my eyes seem black. I did a fun citizen scientist field experiment! lol! I videoed adding water to one of the black patches! Magic!! Green started bursting forth! In my zealous endeavor, I lost track of my battery status. So, I shall return for another water dowsing of the moss momentarily. As I had mentioned to you a week ago, we have excess rain. Perhaps these patches are now drying up until later. The pictures I posted don't seem to show the black I see. Perhaps the lens grasps truer color than my eyes can see. The video is going to be posted on my FB wall. Thanks for the moss learning!
Thanks for contributing to the subject Mark!

hmmm its really only Anthocerophytes that develop nostoc... But I could be mistaken. I've seen on sidewalks and driveways, bryim and ceratadon and other cushions turn black, its normal. Either dead, or a response to desiccation or light intensity.

Thanks! So, tomorrow I will get some photos. But, I don't think it is nostoc. I appreciate the suggestion. We can investigate the mystery further after photos.

Please do. A black moss sounds interesting. (might be nostoc?)

Miles can this moss turn a black color? Near these patches, I found three or four patches of black moss. I plan on photographing and posting them if it is a possible species.

Indeed! And, I just read a disturbing thesis from a student at UTK regarding problematic species for golf coarse putting greens. Then again, I am not golf or have money tied to the sport. http://plantsciences.utk.edu/pdf/borst_s... It mentions a Bryum Argenteum

Looks like a species of Bryum.