Fauna
Plant

Feather Moss

Pleurozium schreberi

Also known as Red-stemmed Feathermoss, Schreber's Big Red Stem Moss, Red-stemmed Moss

Red-stemmed feathermoss forms expansive, golden-green carpets across northern boreal forests and temperate woodlands. Its bright, clear red stems contrast vividly with its pinnate, overlapping leaves, making it easily distinguishable on the forest floor. These moss mats retain moisture, insulate permafrost, and host nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria that enrich nutrient-poor soils.

BorealEvergreenMat-forming
Feather Moss reference1 / 7
(c) Fyodor Pudovikov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fyodor Pudovikov · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Atmospheric Nutrients
Predators
  • Reindeer
  • Mites
  • Springtails
ThreatsHabitat Loss, Severe Wildfires, Air Pollution
HabitatsBoreal Forests, Coniferous Woodlands, Acidic Heathlands, Bogs
Life spanPerennial (Strands live 3–5 years)
Classification
  1. OrderHypnales
  2. FamilyHylocomiaceae
  3. GenusPleurozium
  4. SpeciesPleurozium schreberi
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Stem Examination: Gently peel back the upper leaves to reveal the characteristic bright red stem beneath.
  • Habitat Spotting: Look for vast carpets covering acidic soil, decaying logs, and rock outcrops in damp conifer woods.
  • Avoid Trampling: Walk on designated paths to avoid damaging fragile boreal moss mats.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

The Forest Floor

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