It grows on tree trunks

Dilated scalewort or Frullania dilatata grows mainly as a pioneer on trees with a moderately nutrient-rich bark. The species is somewhat drought-tolerant and can be found on free-standing trees, except in forests. Especially in full sun, the plants have their characteristic rust brown color. This moss experienced a decline in the last century due to air pollution, but is now common in almost all parts of The Netherlands. It is an attractive species, which is not easily overlooked in inventories. As a result, the distribution picture does suggest a greater number of occurrences than is actually the case: regularly there is only a single find per square section of land of 1 x 1 km.

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The Dujardin coloring technique

The images shown are taken from a beautifully colored prepared slide from the archives of the Royal Antwerp Society for Micrography. The slide is already several decades old. It shows a cross-section of a twig of the plane tree. In spite of the age of the slide, the colors are still clear and fresh thanks to the use of the simple simultaneous Dujardin coloring method. During the coloring the colors were brought into balance with great skill, showing the various plant tissues. On the fluorescence image the plant various tissues are shown in a different manner.