Hylocomium splendens – step moss
Common Name
step moss
Family
Hylocomiaceae
Scientific Name
Hylocomium splendens
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Moderately Dry (MD)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Poor (P)
Video link
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- A common moss
- Most often in western redcedar/western hemlock forests with humus rich soils
- Gets its name from a distinctive stair-step branching pattern
Key Identifying Characteristics
- In addition to the stair step growth, you can identify step moss by its an elegant, feathery branching pattern with arching main shoots and feathery side branches arranged in a flat plane
- Paraphyllia (outgrowths of filaments along the stem) give the red-brown stems of step moss a furry appearance
- Sporophytes are infrequent, but sometimes locally abundant
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.