# Red-stemmed Feather Moss (*Pleurozium schreberi*) Red-stemmed Feather Moss is a soft, green moss that loves to grow in shady places. Its bright red stems make it easy to spot in the forest, and it helps keep the ground moist and cool. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Red-stemmed Feather Moss](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Moos_4_db.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Dickbauch~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moos_4_db.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-stemmed Feather Moss is a vibrant, feathery carpet of green, often tinged with yellow or red. Its distinctive red stems are visible when you gently lift its soft, branching fronds. It forms dense, interwoven mats that stand out against the forest floor. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Bryophyta - **Class:** Bryopsida - **Order:** Hypnales - **Family:** Hylocomiaceae - **Genus:** Pleurozium ## Interesting facts - Instead of seeds, it reproduces by releasing super tiny spores carried by the wind! - Some patches of feather moss can be older than your grandparents, growing for decades! - This moss doesn't have roots like other plants; it uses tiny hairs to hold on! - When it dries out, it turns pale, but just a drop of water brings it back to life! ## Special abilities - **Water Sponge:** Red-stemmed Feather Moss can soak up a lot of water, like a sponge, helping it survive dry spells and keep its surroundings moist. - **Cold Resister:** This moss can keep growing and stay green even in cold temperatures and under snow, collecting energy year-round. - **Soil Builder:** Red-stemmed Feather Moss can grow on bare soil or rocks, starting new plant communities and helping to prevent erosion. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-15 cm - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Formica fusca*) — builds nests under its dense, protective mats. - **Shelter:** [Violet Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/violet-ground-beetle) (*Carabus violaceus*) — hides within its cool, moist mats during the day. - **Depends on:** Black Spruce (*Picea mariana*) — thrives in the acidic, moist soil conditions it helps create. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Nonvascular](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nonvascular): This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [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. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's safe to touch, but be gentle when exploring nature. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-stemmed Feather 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 Red-stemmed Feather Moss? 5-15 cm ### Is Red-stemmed Feather Moss edible? No ### Is Red-stemmed Feather Moss toxic? None ### What is Red-stemmed Feather Moss's lifecycle? Perennial ### Where is Red-stemmed Feather Moss usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Canaan Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canaan-street-historic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Guard Island Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guard-island-light) — US · Historic District - [Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabbathday-lake-shaker-village) — Maine, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Red-stemmed Feather Moss](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-stemmed-feather-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*) --- Source: [Red-stemmed Feather Moss: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-stemmed-feather-moss)