New Zealand boasts a rich variety of moss, classified into three main classes: Sphagnum moss, True moss, and Lantern moss. These moss thrive in the lush rainforests of New Zealand, where they carpet the forest floor, particularly in regions with high rainfall such as the West Coast.
With approximately 550 species, moss are a significant component of New Zealand's flora, with 20% of them being endemic. Despite their lightweight spores allowing for easy wind dispersal, the rate of endemism among moss remains relatively low compared to other plants.
Traditionally, the Maori utilized moss for filling gaps in garments made from flax. Moss contribute to New Zealand's verdant landscape, adorning everything from tree-top twigs to the forest floor alongside native evergreen trees and ferns.
The moss life cycle comprises two distinct plants, with one producing spores while being partially dependent on the other, which produces sex cells. Unlike larger plants, moss do not perish when they dry out or when their habitat experiences alternating wet and dry conditions. Instead, their metabolism enters a dormant state during dry spells, resuming normal activity once rainfall returns, allowing for quick repairs and continued growth.
Moss get all their nutrients from the air because they don't have true roots. They thrive in shady areas with acidic soil and enough moisture. Even without roots, moss can dry out completely between rains but quickly revive with water. Unlike most plants, mosses lack vascular systems like xylem and phloem to transport nutrients. They have chloroplasts throughout their structure, allowing them to photosynthesize all around, which gives them their green color. Instead of flowers or seeds, moss reproduce using single-celled spores that need water to grow. They can also reproduce by growing new shoots or breaking off and spreading to new spots through wind or water.
----
Reindeer Moss (Cladonia evansii, Reindeer Lichen)
Reindeer Lichen, with its sponge-like, cladoniform lichen structure, undergoes a striking transformation from light green to grayish hues, forming wiry mounds on the ground or trees. This slow-growing lichen advances at a mere 3-5mm annually. Adapting to limited water or light, it enters dormancy, yet can revive later. When drying, it becomes hard and brittle, showcasing its resilience.
----
Dicranoloma dicarpum (Mood moss)
Dicranoloma dicarpum is a moss that can grow stems up to 7 cm tall. The leaves are pale to light green, sickle-shaped, and often curved to one side. They taper from a broad, sheathing base and have serrated edges on their upper half. A characteristic feature of all Dicranoloma species, including D. dicarpum, is the presence of groups of large alar cells that create yellow to orange patches at the leaf base. Additionally, the leaves of D. dicarpum are unique in having folds (plications) that extend from the base to the tip. This moss has a wide habitat tolerance, growing on soil, rock, rotting logs, tree stumps, tree bases, and exposed roots and buttresses. While it is widespread throughout New Zealand, it is uncommon in the northern North Island.
----
Leucobryum javense (Milk moss, Pincushion moss)
----
Hypopterygium filiculaeforme (Umbrella moss)
Umbrella moss is a moss characterized by erect branches that bear large, umbrella-shaped, and flat fronds, reaching up to 6 cm in diameter. The primary and secondary branches are robust, supporting a dense carpet-like foliage of overlapping leaves. Each secondary branch features two rows of large lateral leaves and a third row of smaller under-leaves. This endemic moss is widespread in New Zealand, thriving in damp, sheltered forests, and along streams.
----
Hypopterygium rotulatum (Umbrella moss)
Hypopterygium rotulatum has a main stem that grows horizontally, sticking to surfaces with brown roots. The lower part of the stem stands upright with sparse scale leaves or sometimes no leaves, while some species have many brown roots. The upper part tilts and looks like a peacock's feathers, with branches that are feathered once or twice, or sometimes three times. The leaves on the sides are broadly ovoid, elliptical, or egg-shaped, and are uneven on both sides. The leaf edges are made of long, narrow cells and are often toothed at the top. The middle rib of the leaf is single and fades away before reaching the tip. This moss thrives in damp, low-light environments and is commonly found in wooded areas and along moist stream edges. It has a bright light green color.
----
Hypnodendron colensoi (Umbrella moss)
This species has a distinctive umbrella-like appearance, often forming large, attractive patches along banks and trails. It features a short stem covered in tomentum, a dense layer of rhizoids. Distinguishing it from similar umbrella moss requires a microscope to observe square crystals in the leaf nerve. It has a soft, fluffy texture with a dark green color tinged with brown, thriving in drier environments compared to other umbrella mosses. You can commonly find it on decaying logs, tree stumps, and at the bases of trees in wooded forest areas.
----
Thuidium furfurosum (Fern Moss)
Thuidium delicatulum, better known as fern moss, is a beautiful moss that resembles miniature fern leaves, making it perfect for forest or jungle-themed terrariums due to its wild, natural look. This moss loves shady spots but can handle a bit of sunlight once it's settled in. It sports broad triangular leaves with stem leaves typically larger than those on its branches. Fern moss is very forgiving in dry conditions. When humidity drops drastically, the moss enters a 'dormant phase,' appearing shriveled but still alive. Once water is reintroduced, it springs back to life, with its leaves reopening to their fern-like appearance. This moss is fast-growing but can become leggy in lower light conditions as it stretches for light. Fern moss thrives in wetland regions and is ideal for closed terrariums and partially enclosed vivariums.
----
Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum cristatum)
Sphagnum moss has an erect stem with spaced-out leaves called 'stem leaves.' Along the stem, there are tufts of branches, some slender and downward-pointing, others thicker and spreading. The leaves on these branches are tightly pressed against the stem and overlap. They contain large, empty cells for water absorption surrounded by a network of narrow, living cells. The capsules of Sphagnum moss are unique, as the lid (operculum) is explosively released along with the spores when it dries. Sphagnum moss can absorb up to 20 times its weight in water, acting like a giant sponge. It holds rainwater in its empty cells and releases it slowly, making peatlands excellent natural flood mitigators.
----
Greater Fork Moss (Dicranum majus)
Greater Fork Moss is a striking moss known for its large size and eye-catching appearance. It thrives in acidic soils, typically found in woodland areas or open spaces. This moss features elongated leaves, reaching up to 1.5cm in length, which curve to one side. Each leaf has a finely toothed tip, and the nerve running along its length is also toothed on the underside. In comparison, Dicranoloma dicarpum is quite similar but can be distinguished by its much shorter leaves.
----
Spear Moss (Acrocladium chlamydophyllum)
Spear Moss has creeping stems that form pale yellow-green clumps. It is easily recognizable by its cylindrical, curved branches with closely overlapping, glossy leaves that taper to a sharp point. The leaves are 1-1.5 mm long, very concave, and about as wide as they are long, with a blunt tip. This moss is widespread in New Zealand and commonly found on soil, stumps, and logs, often in damp, shaded sites.
---
Threaded moss (Bryum argenteum, Sun Tolerant Moss)
Silvery thread moss, or Bryum, is a versatile and resilient moss commonly found in urban environments. This moss stands out with its bright green to yellowish-green, small, cushion-like tufts. It's a popular choice among landscapers and gardeners due to its ability to thrive in areas with moderate to full sunlight. This clump-forming moss grows up to two inches tall and can flourish in both sunny and shaded spots. It adapts well to various surfaces like soil, rocks, and even brickwork, making it ideal for growing adjacent to concrete, stone pathways, and in the cracks of sidewalks and walls. Its adaptability and resilience to pollution and trampling make it a favorite for sunny moss gardens, urban landscapes, bonsai arrangements, and open terrariums.
----
Dendroligotrichum dendroides,
Now recognized as Dendroligotrichum tongariroense or the Giant Moss, this remarkable species is found in forests across New Zealand and Chile, typically thriving at altitudes near 1000 meters. Belonging to the Polytrichales order, it is part of a group of genera tracing back to the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. One of the tallest self-supporting bryophytes, it can reach up to 40 cm, with most specimens around 20 cm tall. At the top of each stem, several spreading branches bear leaves with broad sheathing bases and narrow, toothed lamina. The upper leaf surfaces feature closely spaced lamellae that trap rainwater.
----
Dawsonia superba
Dawsonia superba is a moss from the Polytrichaceae family, found in Australia, New Guinea, Malaysia, and New Zealand. It’s the tallest self-supporting moss globally, reaching up to 60 cm (24 in). This moss has special features similar to those in larger plants, such as hydroid and leptoid cells for transporting water and nutrients, and lamellae that create spaces for efficient photosynthesis.
Part of the Polytrichopsida class, Dawsonia superba stands out with a unique sporophyte compared to other hair-cap mosses. There’s been some confusion about whether Dawsonia superba and Dawsonia longifolia are separate species or the same one. Many sources now consider them merged, with both names historically used interchangeably in different regions. Even today, both names are still in use.
---
For more information about moss in New Zealand, visit www.kaimaibush.co.nz