Eurhynchium striatum
common striated feather-moss
Europe, western Asia, and North Africa
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Eurhynchium striatum is a robust pleurocarpous moss that forms loose, spreading wefts over woodland soil, leaf litter, rotting logs, and shaded rock. The irregularly branched shoots reach 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and bear broadly triangular to heart-shaped leaves that taper to a slender point and spread widely from the stem. Each leaf is marked by lengthwise pleats (striations) that give the plant its name and a single nerve reaching most of the leaf length. Curved, cylindrical spore capsules are carried on red-brown stalks 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) tall, mostly in winter. It grows mainly on neutral to base-rich, moist ground in shaded woodland and hedge banks. As a moss it has no roots and draws water over its whole surface, so it depends on steady humidity and shade.
Native Range
Native across Europe and into western Asia and North Africa, growing in woodland and other shaded, humid habitats. It is common in the British Isles and much of temperate Europe on neutral to base-rich ground.Suggested Uses
Grown or encouraged in shaded woodland gardens, on damp rock, logs, and soil banks, and in moss gardens and terrariums. Its spreading wefts cover bare, shaded ground where higher plants struggle. It also features in naturalistic shade and bog-garden edges.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
As a moss, Eurhynchium striatum produces no flowers. Spore capsules (sporophytes) develop on red-brown stalks 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) tall, ripening mainly in winter from curved, cylindrical capsules.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Green to yellow-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 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
Eurhynchium striatum grows in partial to full shade on moist, neutral to base-rich soil, leaf litter, logs, or rock, at a soil pH of about 5.5-7.5. As a moss it has no true roots and absorbs water across its whole surface, so it needs steady humidity and shelter from drying wind and sun. It tolerates deep shade and low fertility and asks for no feeding. In cultivation it suits shaded, humid corners, woodland gardens, and the surfaces of damp rock or rotten wood. It is intolerant of prolonged drought, which dries the wefts to brittleness, though they can revive after rain.Pruning
Eurhynchium striatum is not pruned. The wefts spread on their own over moist surfaces, and accumulated leaf litter can be lifted off by hand to keep the colony exposed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons