Alien Serpent? No! Sporophyte with Capsule Tip!

[best appreciated at full size against black]

Yesterday I showed all of you the "Quintet of Cobras", in actuality, the reproductive part of moss, which is called a sporophyte. However, the tips had fallen off, the part called a capsule. This is where the spores are formed, and when mature, the capsule will open and fall off, releasing the spores into the wind. This picture shows what appears to be a very mature sporophyte, just about to burst its cap open! Isn't that cool?! :D To me, this looks like a strange and beautiful, alien serpent!

This image was taken in February, 2012.