# Wall Screw-moss (*Tortula muralis*)

Wall Screw-moss is a tiny green plant that loves to grow on walls and rocks. It looks like a soft carpet and helps keep the environment healthy by holding onto soil and water.

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

![Wall Screw-moss](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tortula_muralis0.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Kurt Stüber \[1\], CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tortula_muralis0.jpg)

## Appearance

The Wall Screw-moss is a small plant forming dense, velvety mats. Its leaves are bright green when wet, but curl tightly and become duller when dry, giving them a distinctive screw-like appearance. It often grows in circular patches.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Bryophyta
- **Class:** Bryopsida
- **Order:** Pottiales
- **Family:** Pottiaceae
- **Genus:** Tortula

## Interesting facts

- Its tiny spores can travel huge distances in the wind, helping it spread to new walls and roofs.
- Mosses like this one are among the oldest land plants on Earth, evolving over 450 million years ago!
- Some mosses can survive being frozen solid for years, then simply thaw out and start growing again!
- Wall Screw-moss doesn't have true roots; it uses tiny rhizoids just to anchor itself, not to absorb water!

## Special abilities

- **Water Wizardry:** Wall Screw-moss can dry out completely and appear dead, only to rehydrate and revive when water becomes available.
- **Spore Slingers:** Wall Screw-moss has a specialized capsule with twisted 'teeth' that help slowly release its tiny spores into the wind.
- **Rock Hugger:** Wall Screw-moss can anchor itself to bare, hard surfaces like concrete and rock, thriving where other plants can't.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.5-2 cm
- **Spread:** 2-5 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Cornu aspersum*) — Snails graze on the moss mats.
- **Shelter:** Common Springtail (*Isotoma viridis*) — Tiny springtails find shelter and moisture within the moss cushions.
- **Shelter:** Water Bear (*Macrobiotus hufelandi*) — Microscopic water bears live protected within the moss's damp environment.

## 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.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [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.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [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 to protect the moss.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Wall Screw-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 Wall Screw-moss?

0.5-2 cm

### How wide does Wall Screw-moss spread?

2-5 cm

### Is Wall Screw-moss edible?

No

### Is Wall Screw-moss toxic?

None

### What is Wall Screw-moss's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Wall Screw-moss pollinated?

Wind

### Where is Wall Screw-moss 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: [Wall Screw-moss: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wall-screw-moss)