© Yipingchen, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Ptychomnion is a genus of robust pleurocarpous mosses in the family Ptychomniaceae, represented chiefly by Ptychomnion aciculare. Plants form spreading wefts of pale green to golden-green, glossy shoots 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, with sparsely and irregularly branched stems that creep and arch over the substrate. Leaves are large for a moss, 0.12-0.24 inch (3-6 mm) long, spreading widely in all directions, egg-shaped at the base and drawn out into a long channeled point, with lengthwise pleats and a short forked midrib. The leaf margins are toothed toward the tip. Stems often appear bristly because the long-pointed leaves stand out from the stem. Sporophytes bear inclined to horizontal cylindrical capsules 0.10-0.16 inch (2.5-4 mm) long on red-brown setae, ripening spores in summer. Colonies build slowly over years across logs, soil banks, and tree bases in humid forest. Growth depends on persistent moisture and shade; shoots dull and shrink in dry, exposed conditions and recover after rain.
Native Range
Ptychomnion aciculare is native to the cool temperate Southern Hemisphere, including New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Tasmania, and southern South America. It grows on rotting logs, humus, soil banks, and tree bases in moist native forest, from lowland to montane elevations.Suggested Uses
Seen across forest floors, fallen logs, and shaded banks as a ground and log colonizer, and occasionally grown in shaded terrariums and moss displays on wood or soil. Establishment depends on steady humidity and shade, and colonies decline in dry or exposed sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Colors
Foliage Colors
Fall Foliage Colors
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
pale green to golden-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