Pseudoscleropodium purum (Neat Feather-moss)

Pseudoscleropodium spp.

Europe, North Africa, and western Asia

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Overview

Pseudoscleropodium spp. is a genus of pleurocarpous mosses in the family Brachytheciaceae, widely known from the single species Pseudoscleropodium purum (formerly Scleropodium purum). Plants form loose mats or scattered turfs of pale to yellow-green, plump shoots 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long. The stems and branches are densely set with overlapping, concave leaves that swell outward to give the shoots a smooth, worm-like (julaceous) form. Branching is regularly pinnate, the side branches blunt-tipped and curved. Leaves are about 0.08-0.10 inch (2-2.5 mm) long, broadly egg-shaped, abruptly narrowed to a short twisted point, with a short midrib. Sporophytes are uncommon: when produced, curved cylindrical capsules 0.10-0.12 inch (2.5-3 mm) long sit on red setae and shed spores in winter. Colonies creep outward across the ground over several years and can carpet open turf. Growth is moderate where humidity is steady; shoots pale and shrink in prolonged drought and resume growth after rain. In mown turf the plants persist below cutting height.

Native Range

Pseudoscleropodium purum is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, where it grows in unimproved grassland, heath, dunes, woodland rides, and lawns on a range of soils. It has become naturalized in parts of North and South America, southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, often spreading through turf and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Occurs in lawns, meadows, dunes, and woodland as a ground-covering moss, and is sometimes used in moss gardens and shaded plantings on soil or turf. In maintained lawns the spreading mats compete with grass and are often raked out.

How to Identify

Recognized by pale to yellow-green, plump, worm-like shoots with regular pinnate branching and blunt branch tips. Leaves are broadly egg-shaped, strongly concave, and narrow abruptly to a short twisted point, overlapping so closely that no stem shows between them. The smooth julaceous shoots and short leaf point separate Pseudoscleropodium spp. from Brachythecium spp. and other feather mosses with spreading, tapering leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

yellow green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

pale green to yellow-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk sand

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants spread over open ground, turf, and humus in shaded to lightly exposed sites. Steady moisture supports growth; shoots pale and contract during dry weather and recover after rewetting. Dense colonies build up in lawns and reduce grass cover, and raking or scarifying removes loose mats. Detached shoots root and re-establish on moist soil or turf. Plants tolerate periodic mowing where the cut stays above shoot level.