Rhizomnium punctatum
dotted thyme-moss
Europe, northern Asia, North America, arctic and montane regions
Container Friendly
Native to North America
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Rhizomnium punctatum is a moss of wet shaded ground, forming patches of upright shoots 0.4-2.4 inches (1-6 cm) tall that rise from a creeping, rust-coloured system of rhizoids. Leaves are rounded to broadly oval, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-7 mm) long, larger than those of most mosses, dark green and somewhat translucent, with a distinct narrow border of long cells and a single nerve ending below the rounded tip. The leaves are spaced along the stem and lie flat when moist, curling slightly when dry. Spore capsules are oval, about 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) long, nodding on a red stalk 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) tall, ripening in spring. The moss grows on wet rock, soil, rotting wood, and stream banks in shaded woodland and beside flushes and springs, where water is constantly present. It is reduced on dry or sunny sites and persists where humidity and surface moisture stay high.
Native Range
Widespread across Europe, northern Asia, and North America, extending into arctic and montane regions. Grows on permanently wet, shaded ground, on rock, peaty soil, decaying wood, and the banks of streams, springs, and flushes, mostly in woodland and upland areas with high rainfall.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded bog and stream-side plantings, on wet rockwork, and in humid terrariums and paludariums. Grows in constantly wet shade rather than open or dry positions. Forms low green cover on wet rock and stream banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
Reproduces by spores rather than flowers. Oval capsules nod on red stalks and ripen in spring, releasing spores in late spring and early summer. Many colonies persist for years by vegetative growth and produce capsules only occasionally.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green, somewhat translucentGrowing 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
Grows in shade to deep shade on constantly wet rock, soil, or rotting wood where humidity stays high. Takes no soil in the ordinary sense, absorbing water and nutrients across its leaves and rhizoids. Needs steady surface moisture and fails on dry or sun-exposed sites, browning in drought. On damp rockwork or stream banks it spreads slowly into low patches. No feeding or pruning is involved. Drainage works and loss of shaded wet habitat reduce its presence.Pruning
No pruning is required or practiced. Patches can be lifted and pressed onto wet rock, wood, or soil to start new colonies, anchoring by rhizoids over several weeks. Pieces kept moist continue to grow, while pieces left to dry out die back.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing