Plant
Bog Haircap Moss
Polytrichum strictumAlso known as Strict Haircap, Strict Haircap Moss, Bog Haircap
Dense, velvet-like hummocks of Bog Haircap Moss rise above soggy peat bogs, anchored by a thick white felt of rhizoids that insulates against freezing cold and moisture loss. Stem tops feature stiff, needle-like leaves that curl slightly when dry to conserve water during brief droughts. Male plants display distinctive reddish splash cups in spring that launch sperm toward female stems on falling raindrops.
Bog InhabitantSpore ProducerEvergreen
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
- Springtails
- Mites
- Enchytraeid Worms
ThreatsPeat extraction, wetland drainage, climate warming
HabitatsSphagnum bogs, peatlands, boreal forests, tundra
Life spanPerennial
Classification
- FamilyPolytrichaceae
- SpeciesPolytrichum strictum
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
- Magnification Check: Use a 10x hand lens to inspect the dense white rhizoid wool hugging the lower stem.
- Habitat Tread: Stick to boardwalks in delicate peatlands to avoid trampling slow-growing moss hummocks.
- Spore Capsule Observation: Look for tall reddish stalks topped with hooded spore capsules during midsummer.
Habitat Companion no rights reserved, uploaded by Kallum McDonald · cc0
Habitat Companion (c) Sylvain Montagner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sylvain Montagner · cc-by
Close Relative Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 14:35, 21 October 2007 (UTC) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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