Glittering woodmoss Hylocomium splendens

Features

It is widespread in the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere. It is common in Europe, Russia, Alaska, and Canada. It also grows in the Arctic tundra.

Species	Perrenial
Living space	Dark forest
Size

Description

It is generally olive green, yellowish or reddish green in colour, with reddish stems and branches. These often form branches up to 20 cm long, with current year's growth starting from near the middle of the previous year's branch. This produces feathery fronds in steps. It is possible to estimate the age of a plant by counting the steps - a new level being produced each year. This form of growth enables the species to "climb" over other mosses and forest debris that falls on it. It is shade-loving, grows in soil and humus and on decaying wood and often forms mats with living parts growing on top of older, dead or dying sections. Further south, the plants are larger with several steps; further north, in the arctic tundra, the plants are smaller with few steps.