Bristly Haircap
Polytrichum piliferum Hedw.
Polytrichum piliferum, the Bristly Haircap, is an acrocarpous moss in the family Polytrichaceae. It forms loose tufts with wine-reddish stems and is characterized by long, white, hyaline awns at the leaf tips, which contribute to its greyish appearance. The moss is bluish-green to grey in color and grows in clumps on erect shoots, turning red-brown with age. It is the only species in the genus with fully hyaline awns.
Description
Polytrichum piliferum is an evergreen perennial moss found in regions including Labrador, Québec, the Azores, and parts of Europe. It is small to medium in size and is distinguished by the long, white, transparent awns on its leaves. These awns are a defining trait of the species and are not found in other members of the genus. The moss grows in clumps on upright stems and changes color to red-brown as it matures. It is commonly known as Bristly Haircap in English and is part of the Polytrichaceae family.
Other common names
Bristly HaircapBristly Haircap Mosspolytrichum moss
Distribution
Labrador · Québec · Flores Island · Graciosa Island · Pico Island · Santa Maria Island · São Jorge Island · São Miguel Island · Terceira Island · Madeira Island · TW · Flanders · SE · Vermont-US · NO · DK · Grand Duchy of Luxembourg · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region
Synonyms
Polytrichum antarcticumPolytrichum hirsutumPolytrichum hoppeiPolytrichum laevipilumPolytrichum nanoglobulusPolytrichum patagonicumPolytrichum piliferum var. elegansPolytrichum piliferum var. hoppeiPolytrichum piliferum var. schiffneriPolytrichum piliferum var. tectorumPolytrichum pilosum var. elegansPolytrichum pilosum var. hoppeiPolytrichum pilosum var. schiffneriPolytrichum trachynotumPolytrichum tuberculosumPolytrichum piliferum f. tectorumPolytrichum piliferum f. longisetumPolytrichum pilosum f. longisetumPolytrichum pilifoliumPolytrichum pilosumPolytrichum pilifoliumPolytrichum piliferum f. epilosumPolytrichum piliferum f. fastigiatumPolytrichum piliferum var. flavipilumPolytrichum piliferum var. gracilePolytrichum piliferum var. horizontalePolytrichum piliferum var. laevipilumPolytrichum piliferum f. pauperumPolytrichum piliferum f. procerumPolytrichum piliferum var. proliferum