Cypress-leaved Plait-moss
ExplorePlants
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss
Hypnum cupressiforme
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss is a soft, green moss that often grows on trees and rocks. It looks like tiny, fluffy pillows and helps keep the forest moist and cool.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Cypress-leaved Plait-moss is a low-growing moss that forms dense, flattened mats. It has distinct, feather-like stems densely covered with small, overlapping, yellowish-green to dark green leaves. These leaves curve towards one side, giving it a characteristic braided or plaited appearance, distinct from other mat-forming mosses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumBryophytaClassBryopsidaOrderHypnalesFamilyHypnaceaeGenusHypnum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people sometimes used this tough moss for bedding or even insulation!
It gets its name because its tiny leaves look like cypress tree scales!
Some tiny insects and mites live hidden deep within its cozy carpet homes.
This moss can dry out completely and then spring back to life with rain!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Sponge Power
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss can soak up lots of water, like a super sponge, helping nearby plants stay hydrated during dry spells.
Ability
Climate Shield
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss has dense mats that protect soil from erosion and insulate it from extreme temperature changes.
Ability
Spore Dispersal Ace
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss can release tiny spores, carried by wind, to spread and colonize new damp places far away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1-10 cm
- Spread
- 5-100 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
Great Grey Slug
Limax maximus
Slugs sometimes graze on mosses, including this species.
shelters
Ground Beetle
Carabus nemoralis
Its dense mats provide shelter for various small insects like this beetle.
depends on
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Birds gather its soft strands for building cozy, insulated nests.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Nonvascular
This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Symbiotic
Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cypress-leaved Plait-moss?
1-10 cm
How wide does Cypress-leaved Plait-moss spread?
5-100 cm
Is Cypress-leaved Plait-moss edible?
No
Is Cypress-leaved Plait-moss toxic?
None
What is Cypress-leaved Plait-moss's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is Cypress-leaved Plait-moss usually found?
Forests
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