Plant · GBIF taxon 2676667
Common Moss
Bryum argenteumAlso known as Silver Moss, Silvery Bryum, Silvery Thread-moss
Silver moss forms dense, low-growing mats that display a distinctive silvery-green sheen when dry due to the colorless, translucent tips of its overlapping leaves. This cosmopolitan species thrives in heavily disrupted urban environments, colonizing pavement cracks, compacted soil, and rooftops where other plants cannot survive. It can withstand extreme desiccation, entering a dormant state during dry spells and reviving within seconds of receiving moisture.
ResilientUrbanSpore-bearing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic (sunlight, water, and airborne nutrients)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Herbivorous insects
ThreatsHeavy chemical herbicides, soil paving, and extreme habitat destruction
HabitatsUrban pavement cracks, compacted soils, rooftops, disturbed ground, and rocky crevices
Life spanPerennial (individual clones can persist indefinitely)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderBryales
- FamilyBryaceae
- GenusBryum
- SpeciesBryum argenteum
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
- Look closely: Use a hand lens to examine the overlapping, scale-like leaves that give it a braided appearance.
- Observe moisture response: Watch dry, dusty patches transform into vibrant green mats after a light rain.
- Avoid trampling: Tread lightly on moss-covered soils to prevent tearing the delicate, shallow-rooted mats.
Frequent Companion (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · cc-by-sa
Competitor (c) Igor Balashov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Igor Balashov · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
Common Moss is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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