# Grey-cushioned Grimmia (*Grimmia pulvinata*)

The Grey-cushioned Grimmia is a soft, green moss that grows in clumps. It loves to live on rocks and walls, making them look pretty and green!

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

![Grey-cushioned Grimmia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Grimmia_pulvinata_2004.11.14_14.50.37.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Michael Becker, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grimmia_pulvinata_2004.11.14_14.50.37.jpg)

## Appearance

The Grey-cushioned Grimmia forms dense, silvery-green cushions often found on rocks. Its tiny leaves appear greyish due to unique translucent leaf tips. When dry, its leaves fold inwards, giving it a cushion-like, matted look.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Bryophyta
- **Class:** Bryopsida
- **Order:** Grimmiales
- **Family:** Grimmiaceae
- **Genus:** Grimmia

## Interesting facts

- It's often one of the first plants to grow on bare, newly exposed rocks!
- Look closely, and you might see its tiny spore capsules like mini hats!
- Scientists study this moss to learn how plants survive extreme conditions!
- This moss can dry out completely and come back to life when it rains!

## Special abilities

- **Moisture Magnet:** Grey-cushioned Grimmia has specialized leaf cells that can rapidly absorb and hold water, helping it survive long dry periods.
- **Sun Shield:** Grey-cushioned Grimmia has transparent hair-points on its leaves that reflect sunlight, helping it avoid too much sun damage.
- **Wind Wanderer:** Grey-cushioned Grimmia releases tiny spores that are carried by the wind, helping it spread to new places.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-3 cm
- **Spread:** 2-10 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Water

## Ecological connections

- **Shelter:** Water bear (*Hypsibius dujardini*) — Lives protected within its moss cushions.
- **Eats:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Grazes on its leaves and other mosses.
- **Eats:** Green springtail (*Isotoma viridis*) — Feeds on decaying moss material.
- **Symbiotic with:** Hammered shield lichen (*Parmelia sulcata*) — Often grows alongside it on rocks.

## Traits

- [Nonvascular](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nonvascular): This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

It's safe to touch, but be gentle with plants and mosses.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Grey-cushioned Grimmia?

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 Grey-cushioned Grimmia?

1-3 cm

### How wide does Grey-cushioned Grimmia spread?

2-10 cm

### Is Grey-cushioned Grimmia edible?

No

### Is Grey-cushioned Grimmia toxic?

None

### What is Grey-cushioned Grimmia's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Grey-cushioned Grimmia pollinated?

Water

### Where is Grey-cushioned Grimmia usually found?

Urban areas

## 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: [Grey-cushioned Grimmia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-cushioned-grimmia)