Ptychomnion aciculare
pipe-cleaner moss
Southeastern Australia and New Zealand
SunFull Shade – Part Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Ptychomnion aciculare is a robust moss forming loose, trailing to ascending mats, with stems reaching 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long. The stems are reddish and wiry, set with spreading, narrow, tapering leaves 3-6 mm long that give the shoots a bristly, pipe-cleaner-like texture. The leaves are pale to mid green and somewhat glossy, with a single nerve and a toothed margin near the tip. Like all mosses, it has no true roots, flowers, or seeds; it anchors by rhizoids and reproduces by spores released from a capsule raised on a slender stalk (seta) 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) long. Spore capsules mature mainly in cooler, wetter months. It grows on damp soil, rotting logs, rock, and tree bases in shaded, humid forest, where it spreads slowly across the substrate. The moss depends on steady moisture and shade and dries and shrivels in exposed or droughted positions, recovering when moisture returns.
Native Range
Native to cool, wet forests of southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, growing on shaded soil, logs, rock, and tree bases in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, mainly in high-rainfall and montane areas.Suggested Uses
Occurs as a ground and log moss in shaded, humid forest and is grown in terrariums, fern houses, and damp shaded gardens. It is used in moss gardens and naturalistic plantings on logs and rock. It has no role in sunny, dry, or exposed sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Bloom Information
As a moss it does not flower. Spore capsules form on slender stalks mainly in autumn and winter, releasing spores in cool, moist conditions. Reproduction also occurs vegetatively as fragments of stem grow into new plants.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
This moss grows in consistently moist, shaded, humid conditions on soil, logs, rock, or bark, and is not grown as a conventional garden plant. It needs steady moisture and protection from direct sun and wind, which cause it to dry out. It tolerates cool temperatures and light frost but not prolonged drought or heat. In cultivation it is limited to shaded terrariums, fern houses, and damp woodland gardens. It spreads slowly and is sensitive to disturbance and trampling.Pruning
Pruning does not apply to this moss. Mats can be lifted and divided to spread the plant to new moist, shaded surfaces. Clearing fallen leaves and debris keeps the surface open for growth.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons