# Bonfire Moss (*funaria hygrometrica*)

Bonfire Moss is a bright green plant that loves to grow in warm, sunny places. It's often found popping up after a fire, making the ground look soft and fluffy!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Bonfire Moss typically grows in disturbed areas, like near old campfires or in gardens.
- **Also known as:** Common Funaria, Fire Moss, Green Carpet Moss

![Bonfire Moss](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Funaria_hygrometrica1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Funaria_hygrometrica1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Bonfire Moss is a small, bright green moss that grows in dense, cushion-like mats. Its most striking feature is its spore capsules, which emerge on tall stalks that can turn vibrant orange or fiery red, resembling tiny flames.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Bryophyta
- **Class:** Bryopsida
- **Order:** Funariales
- **Family:** Funariaceae
- **Genus:** Funaria

## Interesting facts

- Bonfire Moss loves places rich in ash and charcoal, perfect after a forest fire.
- Its spore capsules look like tiny lanterns or upside-down pears, turning reddish-orange!
- Its spore stalks often turn fiery red or orange, looking like tiny flames!
- The scientific name, \*Funaria hygrometrica\*, means 'rope-like' and 'water-measuring'.

## Special abilities

- **Twisting Spore Disperser:** Bonfire Moss has a special stalk that twists when dry, helping to launch its spores further for dispersal.
- **Water Absorber:** Bonfire Moss has specialized cells that can soak up a lot of water, helping it survive through dry spells.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-3 cm
- **Spread:** 2-5 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Black slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Grazes on soft plant matter, including mosses.
- **Eats:** [Leopard slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Known to consume various moss species and fungi.
- **Shelter:** White springtail (*Folsomia candida*) — Finds damp shelter and microhabitat within moss cushions.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [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.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Bonfire 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 Bonfire Moss?

1-3 cm

### How wide does Bonfire Moss spread?

2-5 cm

### Is Bonfire Moss edible?

No

### Is Bonfire Moss toxic?

None

### What is Bonfire Moss's lifecycle?

Perennial

### Where is Bonfire Moss usually found?

Bonfire Moss typically grows in disturbed areas, like near old campfires or in gardens.

## Where to spot

- [Indian Hill Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/indian-hill-avenue-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District
- [Metro South Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metro-south-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District
- [Kootenay Lake Provincial Park - Midge Creek Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kootenay-lake-provincial-park-midge-creek-site) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

[View all places to see Bonfire Moss](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bonfire-moss)

## 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: [Bonfire Moss: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bonfire-moss)