Common Haircap
Polytrichum commune Hedw.

Polytrichum commune, known as Common Haircap, is a species of moss in the family Polytrichaceae. It is found in regions with high humidity and rainfall, with a distribution that includes temperate and boreal latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as areas in Mexico, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. The moss can grow up to 70 cm in height, though it is commonly found at 5 to 10 cm. It thrives in bogs, wet heathland, and along forest streams, as well as in partially open habitats affected by human or livestock activity.
Description
Polytrichum commune is a moss species with a broad distribution across temperate and boreal regions in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. It is commonly found in wetland environments such as bogs, wet heathlands, and near forest streams. The species is notable for its height, with stems often reaching over 30 cm and occasionally up to 70 cm. It is also found in disturbed habitats, including those influenced by human activity or livestock. The species was first described in 1801 and is widely recognized for its ecological adaptability.
Other common names
Common HaircapCommon Haircap Mosspolytrichum moss
Distribution
BR · Corvo Island · Faial Island · Flores Island · Pico Island · Santa Maria Island · São Jorge Island · São Miguel Island · Terceira Island · Madeira Island · TW · Carcasí | Cerrito | Concepción | Enciso | Guaca | Macaravita | Málaga | Molagavita | San Andrés | San José de Miranda | San Miguel | Santa Bárbara | Tona · Flanders · SE · Vermont-US · Boyacá, municipio de Iza, mina de Puzolana · Bakke · Lunde · Ytre-Sandvær · Grue · Modum · Seljord · Snåsa · Verdal · Trysil · Uvdal · Vest-Sildre · Bjelland · Flesberg · Hjartdal
Synonyms
Pogonatum madagassumPolytrichum assimilePolytrichum autraniiPolytrichum brachypelmaPolytrichum buchananiiPolytrichum cataractarumPolytrichum commune subsp. cubicumPolytrichum commune var. chalubinskiiPolytrichum commune var. cubicumPolytrichum commune var. deflexifoliumPolytrichum commune var. nigrescensPolytrichum commune var. uliginosumPolytrichum deflexifoliumPolytrichum elatumPolytrichum glabrumPolytrichum leoniiPolytrichum madagassumPolytrichum mildbraediiPolytrichum paludicolaPolytrichum perigoniale var. nigrescensPolytrichum propinquumPolytrichum purpurascensPolytrichum quadrangularePolytrichum radulifoliumPolytrichum remotifoliumPolytrichum subcarinatumPolytrichum subformosum var. anomalumPolytrichum subremotifoliumPolytrichum yuccifoliumPolytrichum commune var. commune