Tortula muralis
wall screw-moss
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Tortula muralis is a small cushion-forming moss that grows in low, neat green to grey-green tufts about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) tall on walls, mortar, concrete, stone, and other hard surfaces. The tongue-shaped leaves curl and twist when dry and spread out when wet, each ending in a long, clear, hair-like point that gives mature cushions a frosted, greyish look. From the cushions rise slender red-brown stalks 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) tall carrying narrow, upright spore capsules with a long, twisted, orange-red mouth fringe. It is a very common moss of man-made stone and lime-rich surfaces, growing on sunny, dry walls where few other mosses persist. The cushions dry out hard in drought and green up again within minutes of rain. It tolerates lime, heat, and pollution, and colonises new mortar quickly. In deep shade or on acidic, soft surfaces it gives way to other mosses.
Native Range
Tortula muralis has a near-cosmopolitan range across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia. It grows mainly on lime-rich man-made and natural stone, including walls, mortar, concrete, paving, and rock, from lowlands to mountains.Suggested Uses
Grown or tolerated on stone walls, paving, troughs, and green roofs where a tough, low green cushion is wanted, and used in moss and miniature plantings. It also colonises new masonry on its own, softening fresh stone and mortar.How to Identify
Appearance
Bloom Information
This moss does not flower. Spore capsules are produced through much of the year, often maturing in late winter and spring on their slender red stalks. The twisted peristome teeth control the slow release of spores as the capsule dries.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-12 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 appears by itself on walls, mortar, paving, stone, and concrete in sun or light shade, needing no cultivation. It favours dry, lime-rich, well-lit surfaces and copes with heat, drought, and city air. No watering or feeding is required, as it survives long dry spells and revives with rain. Where it is unwanted on paths or roofs, it is scraped or brushed off once dry. It re-establishes readily on fresh mortar and bare stone. Deep shade and acidic surfaces slow its growth.Pruning
No pruning applies to this moss. Cushions are scraped or brushed away where they are unwanted on paving, walls, or roofs. Left in place, the patches persist for years and spread by spores.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing