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Overview
Dawsonia spp. is a genus of large mosses in the family Polytrichaceae, native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, south-eastern Asia, and the Pacific islands. It includes some of the tallest self-supporting mosses, with the erect, unbranched stems of D. superba reaching 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) and occasionally more, while smaller species stand only a few inches high. Each wiry stem is clothed in stiff, narrow leaves 0.2-0.5 inch (5-12 mm) long that spread when moist and curl inward as they dry, and the leaf surface carries rows of green photosynthetic plates similar to those of the related hair-cap mosses. Internal strands of conducting cells let these mosses move water and sugars further than most, supporting their height despite the absence of the true roots and vascular tissue found in higher plants. Reproduction is by spores released from cylindrical capsules borne singly on long stalks above the leaves. Plants form open colonies or turfs on damp, shaded banks, forest floors, and stream sides in cool, humid conditions, and depend on constant moisture and high humidity. They grow slowly and are rarely cultivated, appearing mainly in their natural forest habitats and occasionally in terrariums and moss gardens.
Native Range
Native to the Southern Hemisphere and tropical Asia, including Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Guinea, south-eastern Asia, and various Pacific islands, in cool to warm humid forests.Suggested Uses
Grown in terrariums, shaded moss gardens, and damp woodland plantings where high humidity can be maintained. The upright stems are used for texture among ferns and other shade plants in cool, moist settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 2'
Bloom Information
As a moss, Dawsonia spp. does not flower; it reproduces by spores. Spore capsules ripen and shed their contents mainly in the wetter months, the cylindrical capsules turning brown as they mature on their long stalks. Release of spores depends on humidity rather than a fixed season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in deep, constant shade with high humidity and steady moisture, in acidic, humus-rich substrate with a pH around 4.5-6.0. The colonies depend on soft, lime-free water and damp air and brown quickly if allowed to dry out. They establish slowly from spores or by transplanting intact turfs onto firmed, moist soil. No fertiliser is required, and overhead watering with hard or chlorinated water damages the leaves. Sheltered, cool forest-floor or terrarium conditions suit the genus, which does not tolerate full sun or drying wind.Pruning
No pruning is carried out. Spent capsules and stalks can be lifted away once spores have shed, and damaged or browned shoots can be removed by hand to keep colonies tidy. Colonies are otherwise left undisturbed to spread naturally.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons