Plant
Bonfire Moss
Funaria hygrometricaAlso known as Common Cord-moss, Cord Moss, Hygrometric Moss
Bonfire moss is a widespread pioneer bryophyte famous for colonizing nutrient-rich ash beds within months after a blaze. Its common name cord-moss refers to the slender sporophyte stalk that twists tightly when dry and uncurls abruptly in damp air, flinging mature spores into surrounding breezes. Dense populations form vibrant yellow-green velvet mats across scorched soils and damp masonry, stabilizing bare substrate before vascular vegetation returns.
PioneerFire-adaptedSpore-bearing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Mites
ThreatsNatural plant succession, dense canopy closure, soil compaction
HabitatsBurned ground, damp masonry, disturbed mineral soil, rock crevices
Life spanSeveral months to 1 year (annual to short-lived biennial)
Classification
- FamilyFunariaceae
- SpeciesFunaria hygrometrica
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 Experiment: Exhale gently onto dry spore stalks with a hand lens ready to watch the twisted setae untwist instantly.
- Habitat Spotting: Look for bright green patches in old campfire rings, ash piles, or newly paved greenhouse gravel.
Frequent Companion (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableSame Family
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