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Ordinary moss
Scientific name: Brachythecium rutabulum
Ordinary moss is very common in gardens and woodlands. moss provides shelter for many minibeasts, so encourage it to grow in your garden by providing logs, stone piles and untidy areas.
Species information
Category
Statistics
Height: up to 4cmConservation status
Common.
When to see
January to DecemberAbout
Ordinary moss, as its name suggests, is one of the UK's most common mosses and is found growing in lawns, on damp ground and in woodlands.How to identify
Ordinary moss is usually dark green, but can be tinged yellow. It has branching stems that taper, with shiny, oval, pointed leaves that have fine teeth on their edges.Distribution
Widespread.Habitats
Did you know?
Mosses do not produce seeds or flowers, but reproduce by producing spores. These spores are held in capsules that grow within fruiting bodies sprouting from the moss. When they are ready, the moss releases the spores, often by forcing them into the air through the release of built-up pressure within the capsule. In other words, they explode!How people can help
Moss provides important shelter and food for many of our minibeasts and can be encouraged to grow in the garden by providing logs, stone piles and untidy areas. In turn, other species, such as birds, mammals and amphibians, will be attracted to the garden looking for a minibeast meal.
Bertie Gregory/2020VISION