Plenogemma phyllantha

frizzled pincushion

Orthotrichaceae

Oceanic Europe (Atlantic coasts) and humid temperate regions

Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

Overview

Plenogemma phyllantha, formerly Ulota phyllantha, is a small, cushion-forming moss that grows on tree bark and coastal rock, building rounded, dark green to blackish tufts usually 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) across. The narrow leaves are strap-shaped and curl and twist together when dry, opening out when moist. A consistent feature is a cluster of tiny brown, club-shaped gemmae crowded at the tips of many leaves, giving the cushion a brownish, frizzled appearance and serving as the main means of spread. The plant rarely produces spore capsules, multiplying instead by these detachable gemmae, which are carried to new bark and rock. It grows as an epiphyte on the trunks and branches of trees and on rocks, walls, and fence rails, favouring humid, oceanic conditions and tolerating salt-laden coastal air. As a non-vascular plant it has no roots, clinging by rhizoids and absorbing water and nutrients over its whole surface from rain, mist, and humidity. It depends on moist, clean air and is sensitive to drought and air pollution. The cushions stay green and present year-round, expanding slowly across suitable bark and stone.

Native Range

Plenogemma phyllantha occurs in oceanic and coastal regions of Europe, especially along Atlantic coasts, and in similar humid temperate areas elsewhere. It grows as an epiphyte on bark and on coastal rocks and walls in moist, mild climates.

Suggested Uses

Grown or encouraged on garden trees, untreated wood, and rock in humid, coastal gardens for a low epiphytic moss cover. Suits naturalistic, wildlife, and bryophyte plantings where clean, moist air allows it. It also serves as an indicator of clean air and high humidity in a garden.

How to Identify

Identified by rounded, dark green to blackish cushions on bark or coastal rock, with leaves that twist and curl when dry. The diagnostic feature is the dense cluster of tiny brown, club-shaped gemmae at the tips of many leaves, visible with a hand lens and giving a frizzled, brown-tipped look. Spore capsules are seldom present. Its epiphytic, salt-tolerant, coastal habit separates it from related tuft mosses.

Appearance

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

As a moss, Plenogemma phyllantha does not flower and reproduces mainly by leaf-tip gemmae rather than spores. Spore capsules are rare in this species. The brown gemmae are produced through much of the year and spread the plant vegetatively.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in humid, mild, clean-air conditions on tree bark, rock, or untreated wood in part shade to filtered light, in coastal or oceanic districts. The moss takes water from rain, mist, and humidity and needs no soil, feeding, or root watering, but it depends on consistently moist air and declines in dry or polluted sites. Keep its surface free of heavy competing growth; washing or scrubbing removes the gemmae and cushions, so the surface is left undisturbed. It establishes where wind- or water-borne gemmae land on suitable bark or stone, or by pressing gemma-bearing fragments onto a damp surface. It tolerates frost and coastal salt but not prolonged drought.

Pruning

No pruning applies to this moss, which has no stems or woody parts. Remove smothering algae, leaf litter, or coarser mosses from around the cushions. Leave the gemma-bearing tips undisturbed, as handling sheds the propagules that spread it.