18 types of moss
Acrocarpous Moss
Acrocarpous mosses usually grow upright and don’t have branching stems, almost like miniature conifer trees. In addition, cells in the leaves of these mosses are usually square-shaped. Finally, their spore-producing parts, the sporophytes, arise at the end of the stems.
Pleurocarpous Moss
Pleurocarpous mosses have branching stems and often create dense mats on the ground. Their cells are typically very long compared to acrocarpous moss. Finally, their sporophytes arise from the side of stems.
where you can find it?
No matter where in the world you are, there is a good chance moss is growing nearby. Moss is usually always found where there is some moisture because they dry out relatively easily. They also love to grow on poor substrate, so you often see them on exposed rock or disturbed soil. They can even remove impurities from soil! Moss is most commonly found in cool, humid environments like rainforests and near running water.
Lichen often gets mistaken as being moss. One type of which is reindeer moss, also called reindeer lichen. It forms puffy, light green mats that look just like moss.
Irish Moss is as imposter. It’s actually a type of red algae
Common Tamarisk Moss
Scientific name: Thuidium tamariscinum
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Bright yellow-green leaves.
Distribution: Common in Europe, but can also be found in North America and Japan.
Characteristics: This moss has delicate, lacy leaves. Its appearance resembles a fern more than a moss.
Tousled Treasure
Scientific name: Callicladium haldanianum
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Light green and golden brown.
Distribution: Eastern US and Canada and northern Europe.
Characteristics: This moss grows as flat, extensive carpets. It often covers the forest floor or fallen logs.
Hoary Fringe-Moss
Scientific name: Racomitrium canescens
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Dark green to light brown when dry.
Distribution: Common in the US, Canada, and Europe.
Characteristics: This moss is incredibly drought tolerant and grows best on well-drained, sandy soil. It forms dense mats with upright, star-shaped stems.
Juniper Moss
Scientific name: Polytrichum juniperinum
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Green with a distinct red-brown tip.
Distribution: This species grows on every continent on Earth!
Characteristics: This moss has upright stems that look like trees. It grows well in exposed locations.
Warnstorf’s Peat Moss
Scientific name: Sphagnum warnstorfii
Color: Bright, vivid crimson red.
Distribution: Common in boreal regions of the US, Canada, and Europe.
Characteristics: Like other peat mosses, this species is found in bogs and fens. The bright red color is unmistakable for any other moss.
Common Peat Moss
Scientific name: Sphagnum centrale
Color: Yellow-green leaves that dry into a nice golden-brown.
Distribution: Found in the northern US, Canada, and Europe.
Characteristics: Common peat moss is one of many species of sphagnum moss. It grows exclusively in swamps and bogs. So, it does well in nutrient-poor, acidic soil. It holds moisture well and is commonly used in horticulture or in terrariums.
Fern Moss
Scientific name: Thuidium delicatulum
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Bright green and light brown.
Distribution: Common in North and South America and Europe.
Characteristics: As its name suggests, fern moss has leaves that look a bit like ferns. It grows fast and is commonly used in floral arrangements when dry.
Common Haircap Moss
Scientific name: Polytrichum commune
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Leaves are pale to bright green, while stems are reddish-brown.
Distribution: Very common across the western hemisphere.
Characteristics: This appealing moss is easy to recognize. It has wiry foliage all along the stems. When viewed from above, each stem looks like a star with lots of points. This moss can grow in virtually any habitat.
Baby Tooth Moss
Scientific name: Plagiomnium cuspidatum
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Light green leaves and stems with dark orange spore-producing stalks.
Distribution: Found across North America, Africa, and Asia.
Characteristics: This is a short-lived moss. Stems are sprawling and flat, with conspicuous midribs on the leaves.
American Tree Moss
Scientific name: Climacium americanum
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Leaves start out pale green and turn a dark olive green color when mature. Stems are reddish-brown.
Distribution: Widespread across the eastern US and Canada. It grows in a variety of habitats including woodlands, wetlands, swamps, and rocky soil.
Characteristics: As its name suggests, this moss is densely branched and resembles a tiny forest of trees.
Big Shaggy-Moss
Scientific name: Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Dark green leaves and reddish-brown stems.
Distribution: Common across temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Characteristics: The name is very appropriate due to the messy, unkempt look of this moss. The stems are long with variable, fuzzy leaves.
Star Moss
Scientific name: Tortula ruralis
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Dark green to yellow-green.
Distribution: Widespread across North America and Europe.
Characteristics: Also called screw moss, this species gets its name from its star-shaped stem. It’s commonly used in terrariums and vivariums, being that it’s relatively easy to grow.
Heath Star Moss
Scientific name: Campylopus introflexus
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Yellowish to olive green.
Distribution: Native to temperate South America, Africa, and Australia. Introduced in Europe and western North America.
Characteristics: This moss spreads extensively, creating dense carpets that grow fast. The stems are slender with silver-colored tips.
Ribbed Bog Moss
Scientific name: Aulacomnium palustre
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Yellow-green leaves and orange-brown stems.
Distribution: Common across the Northern Hemisphere including the Arctic, and occasionally in South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Characteristics: As its name suggests, this is a common moss in bogs and wetlands. Its upright stems get narrower towards the tips.
Glittering Wood Moss
Scientific name: Hylocomium splendens
Type: Pleurocarpous
Color: Olive green leaves and a reddish stem.
Distribution: Northern Hemisphere temperate and boreal forests.
Characteristics: This moss shimmers in the light and turns brown in the fall. Its feathery stems and leaves can grow to be up to 20 cm long,
Common Smoothcap Moss
Scientific name: Atrichum undulatum
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Dark grey-green with a silver shine.
Distribution: Common across Europe, North America, and Japan.
Characteristics: This moss has star-shaped stems with long, pointy leaves. Also known as Catherine’s moss.
Dwarf Haircap Moss
Scientific name: Pogonatum aloides
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Reddish-green leaves and a red stem.
Distribution: Native to Europe.
Characteristics: This short moss has leaves that grow in a rosette formation, resembling tiny aloe plants. The tips are tinged with a reddish-brown color.
Rigid Beard Moss
Scientific name: Didymodon rigidulus
Type: Acrocarpous
Color: Dark orange-green leaves that turn brown with age.
Distribution: Native to North and South America and Europe.
Characteristics: This moss has tiny leaves that clump together and form dense, stringy mats. It mostly grows on rocks, sidewalks, and other exposed stone
