Ptychostomum capillare
capillary thread-moss
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
Overview
Ptychostomum capillare is a cushion-forming moss that grows in dense green tufts 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) tall on rock, walls, tree bases, soil, and roofs. The shoots are crowded with spirally arranged leaves that are broadest above the middle and taper to a long, slender hair-point, giving the tufts a silky look when dry. As the leaves dry they twist and spiral around the stem, a movement that helps separate the species from related thread-mosses. Reddish seta stalks 0.6-1.2 inches (1.5-3 cm) tall carry pendulous, pear-shaped spore capsules that ripen from green to brown. It grows on a wide range of substrates and tolerates some pollution, colonising mortar, paving, and bark in towns as readily as natural rock. The moss holds moisture in its dense cushions and revives quickly after drying. It spreads both by spores and by small bud-like gemmae, forming patches that slowly merge. Growth slows in deep shade and in continuously wet, low-light sites where larger mosses crowd it out.
Native Range
Ptychostomum capillare has a broad, near-cosmopolitan range across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia. It grows from sea level to mountains on rock, soil, bark, walls, and roofs in both wild and urban settings.Suggested Uses
Grown in moss gardens, on stone, walls, and shaded paving where a low green cushion is wanted, and in green-roof and terrarium settings. It also establishes by itself in shaded, undisturbed corners.How to Identify
Appearance
Bloom Information
This moss does not flower. Spore capsules form mainly in spring and early summer, ripening from green to nodding brown over several weeks before shedding spores. Reproduction also occurs through tiny gemmae produced along the shoots.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-6 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
In gardens this moss needs no cultivation and appears on its own on stone, paving, walls, brick, and compacted soil in part shade. Steady humidity and a stable surface favour it, while frequent disturbance or heavy foot traffic breaks up the cushions. It withstands drought by drying out and reviving when moisture returns, so no watering is required. Removal from paths or roofs is done by gentle scraping or brushing once the cushions are dry. It needs no feeding and copes with poor, thin substrates.Pruning
No pruning applies to this moss. Cushions are lifted or scraped away where they are unwanted on paving or roofs. Left alone, the patches spread slowly and renew from spores and gemmae.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing