# Anomalous Bristle-moss (*Orthotrichum anomalum*)

Anomalous Bristle-moss is a special type of moss that grows in cool, damp places. It has tiny, bristly structures that make it look unique and fuzzy!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Anomalous Bristle-moss](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anomalous_Bristle-moss%252C_Orthotrichum_anomalum_%2824554296845%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: AJC1 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anomalous_Bristle-moss%252C_Orthotrichum_anomalum_%2824554296845%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Anomalous Bristle-moss is a small, dark green to yellowish-green moss forming dense cushions or mats. Its distinctive sporophytes emerge erect from the leaves, featuring ribbed, egg-shaped capsules with pointed lids. When dry, these capsules often have visible, reflexed teeth.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Bryophyta
- **Class:** Bryopsida
- **Order:** Orthotrichales
- **Family:** Orthotrichaceae
- **Genus:** Orthotrichum

## Interesting facts

- A single cushion of bristle-moss can hold many times its weight in water, like a tiny sponge!
- Look closely! Tiny creatures like tardigrades, known as 'water bears,' often call moss cushions home.
- Mosses are among the oldest land plants, having existed for over 450 million years!
- Mosses don't have true roots; they absorb water directly through their leaves, which is super unique!

## Special abilities

- **Water Wisdom:** Anomalous Bristle-moss can dry out completely and appear dead, then amazingly spring back to life when it rains, surviving harsh conditions.
- **Rock Gripper:** Anomalous Bristle-moss has special root-like structures called rhizoids that help it firmly cling to bare rocks and walls, preventing it from being washed away.
- **Wind Voyager:** Anomalous Bristle-moss can release tiny, dust-like spores into the wind, allowing it to spread far and wide and colonize new places.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.5-3 cm
- **Spread:** 1-10 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Shelter:** Green Springtail (*Isotoma viridis*) — Provides damp microhabitat and protection for this tiny insect.
- **Shelter:** Potworm (*Enchytraeus albidus*) — Small worms find damp shelter and decaying matter within the moss.
- **Eaten by:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs occasionally graze on its soft, green cushions.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Nonvascular](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nonvascular): This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

It's safe to touch moss, but be gentle and don't pull it out of the ground.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Anomalous Bristle-moss?

Compare growth form, branching, tiny leaves and any spore capsules. Mosses, liverworts and lichens can share a spot but are very different organisms. Moss Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Anomalous Bristle-moss?

0.5-3 cm

### How wide does Anomalous Bristle-moss spread?

1-10 cm

### Is Anomalous Bristle-moss edible?

No

### Is Anomalous Bristle-moss toxic?

None

### What is Anomalous Bristle-moss's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Anomalous Bristle-moss pollinated?

Wind

### Where is Anomalous Bristle-moss usually found?

Forests

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Anomalous Bristle-moss: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anomalous-bristle-moss)