Plant · GBIF taxon 2671967
Crisped Pincushion
Ulota crispaAlso known as Crisped Pincushion Moss, Crisp-leaved Pincushion Moss
Crisped pincushion forms dense, yellowish-green tufts anchored securely to the bark of living hardwood trees. When conditions dry out, its narrow leaves curl and twist into tight corkscrews to minimize water loss, relaxing within seconds of contact with rain or fog. Slender stalks elevate ribbed spore capsules topped with hairy, bell-shaped caps in spring, aiding spore dispersal through woodland breezes.
EpiphyticNon-VascularSpore-Bearing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthesis (autotroph)
Predators
- Oribatid mites
- Springtails
- Slugs
ThreatsCanopy removal from logging, heavy air pollution, and severe drying from prolonged droughts
HabitatsMoist deciduous and mixed temperate forests, mature hardwood bark, and sheltered stream valleys
Life spanPerennial (individual colonies persist for several years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrthotrichales
- FamilyOrthotrichaceae
- GenusUlota
- SpeciesUlota crispa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Moisture Test: Spray a dry cushion lightly with clean water to watch the curled leaves relax and unfurl in seconds.
- Hand Lens Inspection: Use a 10x magnifier to examine the hairy hood covering each ribbed, developing spore capsule.
- Trunk Scrutiny: Search eye-level bark on mature, shaded hardwoods in humid woodlands to find established colonies.
Competitor (c) Bartosz Czołczyński, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Host Tree (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Host Tree no rights reserved, uploaded by mefisher · cc0
Image unavailableClose Relative
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
Crisped Pincushion is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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