Hypnum andoi
mamillate plait-moss
Western and central Europe, Macaronesia, North Africa, East Asia
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Hypnum andoi is a pleurocarpous moss forming flat, spreading mats on bark, decaying wood, and shaded rock. Shoots creep horizontally and branch mostly in one plane, reaching 0.8-2.4 inches (2-6 cm) long, with regularly spaced side branches that give a feather-like, plaited outline. Leaves are small, 0.04-0.08 inch (1-2 mm) long, narrow and tapering to a slender point, and curve strongly to one side (falcate-secund), producing the plaited look along the stem. Foliage is yellow-green to mid-green, turning brownish on older growth. Spore capsules are 0.06-0.10 inch (1.5-2.5 mm) long, curved and cylindrical, carried on a red-brown stalk about 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) tall, ripening in autumn and winter. The moss grows in shaded, humid sites and dries to a duller, contracted state in prolonged drought, reviving when moisture returns. It is most often found on the lower trunks of trees and on shaded boulders in woodland, and is reduced where air humidity is low.
Native Range
Found across western and central Europe, with records extending to North Africa, Macaronesia, and parts of East Asia. Grows in humid woodland on tree bases, decaying logs, and shaded siliceous rock, mainly in areas with high rainfall and mild winters, from sea level to montane elevations.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded woodland-style and moss gardens, on logs, stumps, and rockwork, and in humid terrariums. Grows on north-facing shaded surfaces rather than in open sun. Forms ground and bark cover in damp shade.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Width/Spread8" - 1'8"
Colors
Foliage Colors
Fall Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Reproduces by spores rather than flowers. Spore capsules develop through autumn and ripen in winter, releasing spores from late winter into spring. Capsule production is irregular, and many colonies persist for years by vegetative growth without forming capsules.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
yellow-green to mid-green, browning with ageGrowing 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
Grows in shade to partial shade where humidity stays high, on bark, rotting wood, or shaded rock. Takes no soil, drawing moisture and nutrients from rain, mist, and surface films of water across its mats. Tolerates short dry spells by drying out and resuming growth when rewetted, though prolonged drought or direct sun causes browning and dieback. On logs or rockwork it spreads slowly, extending mats by about 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) per year. No feeding is involved. Loss of humid woodland and poor air quality reduce its presence.Pruning
No pruning is required or practiced. Mats can be lifted and pressed onto new bark or rock to start fresh colonies. Pieces left in contact with a moist surface anchor by rhizoids within a few weeks.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing