Common haircap moss

Overview

Common haircap moss makes upright, wiry shoots whose narrow leaves spread outward when wet and draw inward as they dry. Seen from above, moist shoots look starry. Summer capsules are box-like, with four angles, and rise on reddish stalks. NatureSpot advises close examination of the leaf tips for confident identification.

The bryological atlas describes var. commune mainly in wet acidic settings, including flushes, wet heath, bogs and wet woodland. It also records drier peat tracks and post-industrial substrates. Its mapping included records unassigned to variety; this convention does not independently identify NatureSpot’s broad haircap records to a named variety.

Origins & earliest records

Broad regional record scope

Evidence & interpretation

Published accounts.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Common Haircap Moss

   NatureSpot

2. 02

   Atlas of British & Irish Bryophytes (1), p. 420

   D.G. Long; revised by T.L. Blockeel

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Community species accountCommon Haircap MossResearch access: 2026-10-18
2. Bryological atlas accountAtlas of British & Irish Bryophytes (1), p. 420Research access: 2026-10-18

Image credits

AI-generated leafy turf study.

Capsules and microscopic identification are excluded.