Waved Silk-moss
ExplorePlants
Waved Silk-moss
Plagiothecium undulatum
Waved Silk-moss is a soft, green plant that grows in damp places. It has wavy leaves that look like little waves, making it fun to touch and see in nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Waved Silk-moss has vibrant green, flattened shoots with a distinct wavy or corrugated texture. Its glossy, overlapping leaves create a shimmering, silky mat, making it easily distinguishable in its forest habitat.
KingdomPlantaePhylumBryophytaClassBryopsidaOrderHypnalesFamilyPlagiotheciaceaeGenusPlagiothecium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Instead of seeds, Waved Silk-moss reproduces using microscopic spores, like tiny plant dust.
It can survive extreme drying out, then spring back to life when water returns!
Mosses were among the first plants to grow on land, hundreds of millions of years ago!
Waved Silk-moss helps create tiny 'forests' for even tinier creatures, like springtails and mites.
Special abilities
Ability
Water Magnet
Waved Silk-moss can absorb and hold many times its weight in water, helping it survive dry periods and keep its environment moist.
Ability
Creeping Colonizer
Waved Silk-moss has rhizoids that help it cling tightly to surfaces like rocks and bark, allowing it to grow where other plants can't.
Ability
Spore Spreader
Waved Silk-moss can release tiny spores into the wind, enabling it to travel far and colonize new, suitable habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-5 cm
- Spread
- 5-20 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
Shelter
Snow Flea
Hypogastrura socialis
Lives and forages within moss mats.
Depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Often grows epiphytically on its bark as a substrate.
Shelter
Soil Mite
Scheloribates laevigatus
Feeds on detritus and fungi within the moss.
Traits
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.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always be gentle when touching plants and mosses to protect them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Waved Silk-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 Waved Silk-moss?
2-5 cm
How wide does Waved Silk-moss spread?
5-20 cm
Is Waved Silk-moss edible?
No
Is Waved Silk-moss toxic?
None
What is Waved Silk-moss's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is Waved Silk-moss usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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