Plant
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss
Hypnum cupressiformeAlso known as Cypress-leaved Plaitmoss, Hypnum Moss
Cypress-leaved plait-moss carpets tree bark, acidic boulders, and woodland soil in dense, glossy yellowish-green cushions of creeping stems. Its tiny, sickle-shaped leaves curve downward in neat overlapping rows that resemble braided hair or cypress foliage, forming intricate water-holding microhabitats for micro-invertebrates. Slender reddish stalks frequently emerge to lift smooth, inclined spore capsules above the foliage throughout the cooler months.
BryophyteCarpetingWoodland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis, atmospheric moisture, dissolved minerals)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Woodland Caterpillars
ThreatsSevere habitat destruction, agricultural runoff, heavy shade loss
HabitatsWoodlands, tree trunks, stone walls, heathlands, boulder fields
Life spanPerennial (decades to centuries via clonal growth)
Classification
- OrderHypnales
- FamilyHypnaceae
- GenusHypnum
- SpeciesHypnum cupressiforme
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
- Substrate Inspection: Examine the curved leaf tips with a hand lens to distinguish it from look-alikes.
- Moisture Tracking: Observe how the shoots unfurl and deepen in color within seconds of receiving rainfall.
Neighbor (c) Zeke Marshall, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zeke Marshall · cc-by
Competitor no rights reserved, uploaded by Randal · cc0
Host Plant (c) Natalya Ivanova, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
Cypress-leaved Plait-moss is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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