United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Alaska Region

R10-RG-179

September 2008

Mosses and Liverworts 

of the National Forests 

In Alaska
2

What are mosses and liverworts?

Mosses and liverworts, collectively called bryophytes, are 

small, simple, green plants that do not produce flowers or 

seeds and have no woody tissue. They lack true roots and 

complex vascular systems; however, some mosses have 

a central strand of simple water conducting cells. Most 

bryophytes must absorb water and nutrients directly through 

their surface tissue and transport them directly from cell to 

cell. Many bryophytes have tiny, branched filaments called 

rhizoids, which function for anchoring, but not absorption. 

Hornworts are also bryophytes, but they will not be 

addressed in this publication. Bryophytes evolved separately 

from the vascular plants, although both are thought to have 

green algal ancestors. There are approximately 20,000 species 

of bryophytes in the world. 

How do mosses and liverworts reproduce?

The green bryophyte plants we see are the gametophyte

generation, meaning they produce the male (antheridia) and 

female (archegonia) sex organs that provide gametes (sperm 

and eggs) for sexual reproduction. Bryophyte sperm move 

through the plant’s surface water film to the archegonium 

via twin, whip-like flagella. Once there, the egg is fertilized 

and grows to form the sporophyte generation; a stalk (seta) 

attached to the gametophyte by a foot, and topped with 

an enlarged capsule (sporangium). Young capsules often 

retain the protective cap called a calyptra. The sporophyte 

is parasitic on the gametophyte at least part of its life. 

Specialized cells in the capsule produce spores which are 

dispersed mainly by 

wind or water. To 

complete the cycle, 

spores landing in 

suitable conditions 

“sprout” into fine 

filaments (protonema) 

that progress to 

become mature 

gametophytes. This 

life history is known 

as alternation of 

generations.

Many species have separate male and female gametophyte 

plants that may form dispersed single-gender patches. Since 

water is necessary for sexual reproduction, and sperm can not 

travel very far, other means of reproduction are used. Some 

species produce clumps of cells (gemmae) which fall off and 

generate into protonema. Many can generate gametophytes 

Moss

gametophyte

sporophyte

capsule (sporangium)

lid 

(operculum)

calyptra

seta

midrib

leaf

rhizoids
3

from plant fragments; this is the main method of dispersal in 

the Arctic.

Mosses

Mosses are small leafy green plants. Many plants resemble 

mosses but are not bryophytes, such as club-mosses (fern 

relative), reindeer (lichens), and Spanish moss (pineapple 

relative). There are an estimated 8,000–9,000 true moss 

species worldwide; approximately 620 occur in Alaska.

Mosses are in two 

general forms. The 

upright, usually 

unbranched form 

generates the sporophyte 

from the tip of the stem 

(acrocarps). In those 

with separate male 

plants, the antheridia 

are often in cuplike 

structures at the stem tip. 

These plants generally 

grow on the ground. Plants that spread horizontally, are 

branched, and produce sporophytes from the side of the stem 

are termed pleurocarps. This type of moss usually grows 

on trees, other plants, and litter. The moss section of this 

brochure will be organized according to these forms.

Sphagnum mosses (peat mosses) have unique features that 

separate them from the other mosses. Their branches are 

in clusters (fascicles) with some branches hanging along 

the stem, the rest spreading away from the stem. Branch 

leaves have a network of large, clear, dead cells with pores,

alternating with small, live, 

green cells. These dead 

cells with their pores are 

instrumental in the acquisition 

and storage of water. Stems 

have different shaped leaves 

which are important in 

species identification. None 

of the leaves have midribs. 

Sporophyte setae are weak 

and transparent; and when 

mature the capsule explodes, 

shooting off its lid (operculum) 

and spores with an audible 

“pop.” Sphagnum moss is 

estimated to cover about 1 percent of the earth’s surface, an 

area half the size of the United States. There are 285 species 

Acrocarp

Pleurocarp

Head

Fascicle

Sphagnum Moss
4

worldwide and 93 species in North America; 57 species 

occur in Alaska, including several recently discovered species.

Liverworts

The two forms of liverworts 

are quite distinctive; leafy or 

thalloid. Leafy liverworts are 

often mistaken for mosses, 

but the features listed above 

should help distinguish the 

two. Leaf lobes may be 

fringed with hairs or folded 

to form pockets. 

Thalloid liverworts 

are flattened and 

branch or fork 

into two fairly 

equal portions 

(dichotomous), 

often several times. 

Several species 

have permanently 

open surface pores 

for gas exchange. 

Sporophyte forms 

vary, including umbrella-like structures on stalks and round 

capsules on clear setae. Worldwide there are 4,000–6,000 

species of liverworts, most of which are the leafy sort. Alaska 

has over 200 species. 

How to tell a moss from a liverwort

There are a few readily observed features that may help 

distinguish mosses from liverworts. These include:

vMosses are always leafy; liverworts are either thalloid (flat, 

ribbon-like) or leafy.

vMoss leaves usually have a midrib; leafy liverworts do not.

vMoss leaves are generally in more than three rows,

arranged spirally; leafy liverworts usually have leaves in 

three rows—two laterals and one underneath (underleaf)—

flattened against the stem.

vMoss leaves are unlobed; leaves of many liverworts have 

two–six lobes.

vMoss setae are stiff, opaque, and long-lived; liverwort 

setae are soft, transparent, and collapse after spores are 

shed.

vMoss capsules open by a mouth (operculum) surrounded 

by 4–64 “teeth”; liverwort capsules split along four lines, 

leaving four turned-back “petals” with no teeth.

sporophyte

gametophyte

rhizoids

sporangium

seta

thallus

Thalloid Liverwort

Underleaf

Leaf

Rhizoids

Leafy Liverwort
5

Ecology and uses

Bryophytes have adapted to nearly all types of habitat, 

ranging from desert to wetlands such as fens (sedge and grass 

dominated) and bogs (Sphagnum dominated), forests and 

aquatic, alpine, and arctic conditions. Mosses, especially, 

have developed drought tolerance which enables them to 

recover and continue to grow after drying (up to 20 years). 

This character allows them to persist in harsh environments, 

often acting as pioneer species by preparing suitable habitat 

for vascular plant seeds to germinate. Similar to lichens, 

mosses retain compounds and elements and have been 

used as indicators of pollutant contamination. The presence 

of certain bryophytes are used to identify the degree of 

disturbance in rainforests and to monitor the effect of forest 

management activities on biodiversity. 

Many aspects of leaf and shoot design encourage capillary 

action and enable surface tension to store and distribute 

surface water; upon drying, cell water is lost and metabolism 

stops. Bryophytes must rely on this close association between 

cells and surface water to obtain nutrients dissolved in the 

water. 

Bryophytes act as temperature and moisture regulators 

on their substrates and contribute to the nutrient cycle by 

harboring nitrogen-fixing bacteria and collecting nutrients that 

fall in rain and on dust particles. Many are known to associate 

with mycorrhizal fungi in a symbiotic relationship. Dense 

colonies offer shelter for small invertebrate animals.

Mosses have been used for chinking log cabins, lining 

cooking pits for steaming food and bending wood, padding, 

wiping slime off of fish, covering floors, floral arrangements 

and garden decorations, packing material, and even curative 

teas in China. Mosses are common materials used in bird 

nests and capsules are eaten by ants and birds. Sphagnum has 

highly absorbent and antiseptic properties and has also been 

used as diapers, wound dressings, and soil amendments.

Hints for using a hand lens

A 10x–15x hand lens is useful for observing small details such 

as leaf midribs and toothed edges. Most university bookstores 

carry them. For best results, hold the lens close to your eye 

and bring the object up to the point of clearest focus. 
6

Liverworts

Snake liverwort

Conocephalum conicum

Flat, broad (1–2.2 cm) ribbons 

with distinctive pattern of 

hexagonal markings, each 

with a central dot (pore). 

Bottom with rhizoids. Aromatic 

when crushed. Occasional 

sporophytes look like tiny toad 

stools; male plants produce 

pads with antheridia. This is our 

largest liverwort. The species 

name, conicum, refers to the 

cone-shaped sporangium. On 

constantly moist inorganic 

sandy soil, or acidic rocks.

Lung liverwort

Marchantia polymorpha 

Branched ribbon 7–13 mm wide 

with darkened and depressed 

midrib. Upper surface mottled 

with indistinct pores and black 

marks; lower side black-purple 

with many triangular scales. 

Genders on separate plants; 

males with stalked, flattened, 

lobed discs; females with 

stalked radiating finger-like 

lobes. Plants usually with 

gemmae in flaring cups. On 

wet exposed soil, ditches, rock 

walls, and burned ground. 

by Martin Hutten

by Ellen Anderson 

© Michael Lüth
7

No common name

Apometzgeria pubescens 

In loose mats, nearly 

translucent, light- to yellowgreen. Thallus narrow (2 mm), 

forked branching and midrib. 

Both sides of thallus felted with 

hairs. Metzgeria conjugata is 

similar, but has tiny paired hairs 

along the margin and underside 

of midrib and no hairs on upper 

surface. On wet, usually basic 

rock.

Comb liverwort

Riccardia multifida 

Flat, ribbony, fan-shaped plants 

with branched branches 1.0–1.5 

cm long. Thallus with thin, 

translucent edges, no midrib; 

usually branching at 45° to 65° 

angles. Most common on wet 

soil along streams and near rock 

outcrops.

Tree-ruffle liverwort

Porella navicularis 

Shiny, dark green, hanging, 

creeping or spreading mats. 

Stems 10–15 cm long, simple 

or branched with short side 

branches. Upper leaves flat, 

lobed, overlapping like reversed 

shingles; smaller lower lobe 

tongue-shaped with edges 

rolled under. Underleaf tongueshaped with rolled edges. 

Common on tree trunks and 

branches.

Liverworts

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth

by Martin Hutten
8

Little hands liverwort

Lepidozia reptans

Tiny, widely spaced branches. 

Upper leaves short, with 

3–4 pointed lobes curved 

downwards resembling a gloved 

hand. Underleaves smaller, not 

curved. In loose mats on wellrotted wood and hanging from 

moist cliffs.

Frilly liverwort

Ptilidium pulcherrium 

Occurs in dense, firmly 

attached, yellow-green to 

reddish brown patches. Leaves 

short, divided into 4–5 irregular 

lobes, each fringed with cilia 

(long hair like projections). 

On tree bases, rotting wood, 

rocks, and soil. P. ciliare forms 

red-brown to coppery-red 

mats easily removed from the 

substrate. Leaves are twice as 

large as P. pulcherrium and 

more densely ciliated. Over 

rock or thin soil on rock. Very 

slippery when wet.

Liverworts

© Michael Luth

by Martin Hutten
9

Liverworts

Jagged notchwort

Lophozia incisa 

Frilly, whitish-green upper 

leaves have 2–4 uneven lobes 

with irregular arrangement; 

lobes with toothed margins; 

underleaves absent. Most other 

Lophozia species have leaves 

with just 2 lobes. The related 

Barbilophozia group of species 

has 3–4 lobes consistent in 

their size and placement. On 

decaying logs and organic soil 

in forest.

Hard scale liverwort

Mylia taylori 

Luxuriant dense reddish-green 

to carmine-red mats or thick 

turfs 3–12 cm tall. Upper leaves 

unlobed, concave, overlapping 

like shingles with edges bent 

backwards. Underleaves lanceshaped, obscure. Most often 

on lowland forest and forested 

peatland logs. M. anomala is 

smaller with narrower leaves 

and mixes with Sphagnum 

fuscum in bogs; upper leaves 

often with yellow gemmae on 

edges.

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth
10

Sphagnum Moss

Shaggy sphagnum

Sphagnum squarrosum

Bright to pale green loose 

carpets; individuals are large 

and tend to be separated. Stems 

green to red-brown. Leaf tips 

bend abruptly at right angles 

to the stem, giving plant a 

distinctive bristly appearance. 

Oval stem leaves with a slight 

fringe across the broad tip. 

Common in swamps, sedgedominated fens, and peaty soils 

in forests.

Common brown sphagnum

Sphagnum fuscum 

Compact clumps of small, 

slender brown to brown-green 

plants with brown stems. Stem 

leaves blunt, tongue-shaped; 

branch leaves pointed lanceshaped. Common on tops of 

drier or older hummocks in 

open bogs and fens.

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth

by Rick Turner
11

Sphagnum Moss

White-toothed peatmoss

Sphagnum girgensohnii 

Loose mats of always green, 

robust plants with large, flattopped, star-shaped heads. 

Stems green to brown, wiry; 

“snap” when bent. Stem leaves 

shaped like broad tongues with 

flat top edge torn, like having 

been cut with pinking sheers. 

Occurs in forest and edges of 

bogs and fens.

Midway peat moss

Sphagnum magellanicum 

Plants reddish to reddish 

purple, or light green in shade; 

large, robust, with red stems; 

branches short-pointed, 

swollen. Stem leaves tongueshaped. Branch leaves large, 

very concave, with edges and 

tip rolled under. Common on 

sides of drier hummocks in 

open acidic bogs. S. papillosum

(Fat bog moss, lower photo) 

looks similar to midway peat 

moss, but is yellowish to brown, 

has a brown to blackish stem, 

and individuals separate easily. 

Forms dense carpets in open 

fens and bogs.

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth

by Ellen Anderson
12

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Knight’s plume

Ptillium crista-castrensis 

Green to golden-green neatly 

arranged mats, stems 3–12 cm 

tall. Branches symmetrically 

branched, in feathery plumes. 

Branch and stem leaves short, 

pleated, egg-shaped; all 

curved toward the branches 

and stem below. Sporophyte 

with reddish seta; capsule 

curved, held horizontally, short, 

chestnut brown. Forest floor, 

occasionally on bog edges.

Stair-step moss

Hylocomnium splendens

Plants creeping, 2–20 cm; 

stems reddish, twice branched, 

with abundant green filaments. 

Sporophytes uncommon, seta 

red-brown, capsule brown, 

nearly vertical. Current year’s 

growth arises from center of 

previous year’s branch, forming 

characteristic stair-step effect. 

The age may be estimated by 

counting the number of “steps.” 

Often covers coniferous forest 

floor and rotting logs.

by Rick Turner

by Brett Calhoon

by Ellen Anderson
13

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Giant feather moss

Calliergon giganteum 

Yellow-green, green, yellowbrown, to over 20 cm long 

in deep loose clumps. Stems 

branched, feathery. Leaves 

stand out from stem; stem 

leaves egg-shaped, tip blunt, 

midrib strong, areas of distinctly 

enlarged and clear cells in 

corners of leaf base; branch 

leaves smaller, more slender. 

Sporophyte with cinnamon 

colored seta, capsule curved. 

Occurs in rich fen ponds, often 

floating.

Red-stemmed feather moss

Pleurozium schreberi 

Extensive, loosely interwoven 

light- to yellow-green mats, 

7–16 cm high; stems orange 

to red, irregularly branched. 

Short, upright leaves, oblong to 

oval, tip rounded, sides rolled 

inward, no midrib. Sporophytes 

uncommon; seta red-yellowish; 

capsule cylindrical, held 

horizontally. This plant does not 

seem to reproduce vegetatively. 

Drier acidic, poor soils, rocks, 

on tree bases, and in bogs.

© Michael Lüth

by Ellen Anderson
14

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Curly Hypnum

Hypnum subimponens

Small, regularly branched 

creeping stems. Leaves sickleshaped, bent to same side of 

stem, short, slenderly sharp 

pointed and slightly serrated, no 

midrib. Sporophytes common; 

seta long, reddish, capsules 

curved, long-cylindrical, 

smooth, nearly upright. H. 

circinale (coiled-leaf moss) has 

stems irregularly branched with 

braided appearance. Capsule 

shorter, nearly vertical. Both 

species often grow together in 

hanging or descending mats on 

tree trunks and rocks. 

Sickle moss

Sanionia uncinata

Feathery, irregularly branched 

2–5 cm long, in yellow-brown 

to brown tufts or mats. Branch 

tips and leaves sickle-shaped. 

Leaves narrow and pleated 

lengthwise, strong midrib; tips 

curled nearly into semi-circles, 

bent in same direction on stem. 

Sporophyte with long, red 

seta, twisted; capsule curved, 

almost horizontal. At moist 

bases of large boulders, often 

occurring with stair-step moss. 

Also known as Drepanocladus 

uncinatus.

© Michael Lüth

by Rick Turner
15

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Hanging Moss

Antitrichia curtipendula

Forms large rusty-green to 

orange-green cushions or balls 

with branched stems to 15 

cm, usually angled downward. 

Leaves medium, not pleated, 

with edges rolled under; midrib 

long flanked by 2 shorter ribs. 

Easy to confuse with lanky moss 

which has pleats, plane edges, 

and 1 midrib. Sporophytes 

uncommon, seta long, capsule 

smooth, straight to slightly 

curved. Festoons tree trunks 

and branches, especially in 

more open forest gaps. 

Cat-tail moss

Isothecium myosuroides

Irregularly branched stems. 

Leaves short, upright, edges 

toothed; midrib prominent 

to about 2/3 length of leaf. 

Sporophytes common, seta 

brownish, capsule shortcylindrical, erect. Branching 

and sharpness of leaf tips 

quite variable. Forms long, 

tapering strands that hang from 

branches, or creeping mats over 

boulders and logs. Noticeably 

absent from forest floor. The 

most common and variable 

moss of coastal rainforest.

© Michael Lüth

by Rick Turner
16

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Lanky moss

Rhytidiadelphis loreus

Large yellow- to dark green 

plants (to 15 cm long) in loose 

creeping mats; branches 

widely spaced, narrowing to 

fine points. Leaves medium, 

obviously pleated, slightly 

curved, broadly egg-shaped 

narrowing gradually to long, 

slender point; obscure double 

midrib. Sporophytes occasional, 

seta red-brown, capsules 

nearly vertical, smooth, nearly 

spherical. Often the dominant 

ground cover in lowland and 

montane forests. 

Bent-leaf moss 

Rhytidiadelphis squarrosus 

Upright, irregularly branched to 

unbranched; leaves not pleated, 

spread at right angles to stem, 

tips bent backwards; looks 

bristly. Occurs in disturbed 

habitats, lawns, and roadsides.

Electrified cat’s-tail moss 

Rhytidiadelphis triquetrus 

Has irregular branching and 

spreading, shaggy, slightly 

pleated leaves, with strong 

double midrib. On humus-rich 

forest floors.

© Michael Lüth

by Rick Turner

by Rick Turner
17

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

Wavy-leaved cotton moss

Plagiothecium undulatum

Large, glossy, pale whitishgreen plants in mats; stems 

3–15 cm long, little branched, 

conspicuously flattened. Leaves 

medium, egg- to lance-shaped 

with transverse wrinkles toward 

the tip; midrib short, double. 

Sporophytes common; seta 

dark red to light brown; capsule 

smooth, curved, nearly vertical. 

On logs, humus, tree stumps in 

shaded forest. Also known as 

Buckiella undulata.

Clear moss

Hookeria lucens 

A distinctly flattened, whitishgreen moss forming small 

patches; stems to 8 cm long. 

Leaves medium, flat, eggshaped, blunt tipped; no midrib. 

Large, thin-walled cells (visible 

with hand lens) give the leaves 

a translucent appearance. 

Sporophytes uncommon; seta 

dark, capsules smooth, nearly 

vertical. On rich forest floor 

humus. 

by Ellen Anderson

by Ellen Anderson
18

Common water moss

Fontinalis antipyretica

Large, branched plants to 

40 cm long, dark green to 

brownish; stems noticeably 

3-angled. Leaves long, arranged 

in 3 rows along the stem; lanceto nearly egg-shaped, sharply 

pointed, without midrib. Leaves 

lie folded when removed 

from plant. Sporophyte rare; 

seta short; capsule spherical, 

obscured by leaves. Attached to 

rocks and logs in flowing water.

True Mosses – Pleurocarps

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth
19

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Fan moss

Rhizomnium glabrescens

Common, in patches up to 

3 cm tall. Leaves medium, 

shriveled against stem when 

dry, oval, blunt tipped. Leaf 

border obvious, smooth edges. 

Sporophytes common; seta 

long, capsule cylindrical, 

smooth and hanging. Male 

plants with flower-like clusters 

at tip. On rotting logs, humus 

and soil over rocks. Look for 

larger R. magnificum with stem 

covered by densely branched 

rhizoids. Closely related 

Plagiomnium species have 

single teeth along the edges; 

Mnium species have double 

teeth.

Badge moss

Plagiomnium insigne

Largest of the “Mnium” group, 

3–7 cm tall. Leaves shrivel 

when dry, long, oval- to eggshaped, sharp-tipped margins 

with single teeth to the base; 

border of long cells extend 

down sides of stem from leaf 

base. Sporophytes common; 

seta long, 3–6 per plant, 

capsule broad, cylindrical, 

smooth, hanging. Male plants 

with conspicuous flat heads 

(inset). On humus and exposed 

soil; common along trails. 

by Rick Turner

by Rick Turner

by Rick Turner
20

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Contorted hairy cap

Pogonatum contortum

Forms tall (3–12 cm) dark green 

turfs. Leaves spread when 

moist, contorted and curly 

when dry. Leaves long, lanceshaped; upper surface covered 

by up to 40 lamellae; margins 

narrow, toothed, translucent. 

Sporophyte with seta medium, 

capsule erect, cylindrical, with 

hairy calyptra. The genus name 

means ‘born with a beard’, 

referring to this feature. Most 

often on disturbed mineral soil, 

especially in forested areas.

Common hair-cap moss

Polytrichum commune

Dark green, 4–45 cm tall; lower 

stem covered by grey rhizoids. 

Leaves upright when dry, long, 

coarsely toothed, lance-shaped 

with long sharp point and 

sheathing base. Upper surface 

of leaves covered with 20–50 

lamellae (strips of stacked cells, 

lower photo). Sporophytes with 

long seta; capsule horizontal 

and four angled. Male plants 

with enlarged terminal head; 

subsequent growth sprouts from 

current tip, thus annual growth 

may be observed along the 

stem. On moist organic soils. 

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth

by Martin Hutten
21

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Dusky fork moss

Dicranum fuscescens

Small, dull green to dark 

green plants 1–4 cm tall with 

reddish-brown stems, in patches 

or cushions. Leaves sickleshaped, all bent to one side of 

stem, long, contorted when 

dry. Sporophytes common; 

seta short, yellowish- light 

green; capsule nearly vertical; 

dry capsule with lengthwise 

furrows, asymmetrical. On 

rotting logs, tree bases, and 

humus in forests. 

Apple moss

Bartramia pomiformis

Whitish- to yellow-green, 

upright stems 2–10 cm long; 

usually with abundant red 

hairs. Leaves contorted, 

especially when dry, narrowly 

lance-shaped, long, edges 

bent backwards, strong midrib. 

Sporophyte common with 

short seta; capsule erect and 

spherical (young), horizontal 

and a bit asymmetrical (older). 

The young capsules resemble 

little green apples, hence the 

species name, pomiformis, 

meaning apple form. On 

roadsides, cliffs.

by Brett Calhoon

by Ellen Anderson
22

Red roof moss

Ceratodon purpureus

Reddish-green mats or tufts 1–2 

cm tall. Leaves short, contorted 

when dry, lance-shaped, edges 

bent backwards, a few notches 

at tip. Sporophytes common; 

seta reddish (young) to purple 

(mature); capsule green and 

nearly upright when young, 

maturing abruptly to horizontal, 

8-ribbed and reddish-brown 

to purplish. Possibly the most 

common moss in the world. 

On roofs, and in disturbed sites 

such as roadsides, soil exposed 

by uprooted trees, even 

sidewalk cracks.

Cord moss

Funaria hygrometrica

Weedy, short (<1 cm), light 

green, nearly bulb-shaped. 

Leaves medium, upright, 

concave, oval, shiny, and 

contorted when dry. Sporophyte 

common; seta contorted, 

yellow; capsule hanging and 

pear-shaped, green (young), 

yellow (mature). On disturbed, 

compacted soil, in moist 

depressions of burned areas, 

and often a pest in greenhouses.

True Mosses - Acrocarps

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth

© Michael Lüth
23

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Tall clustered thread moss

Bryum pseudotriquetrum

In mats or tufts 2–8 cm tall, 

stems red. Leaves medium, eggshaped, blunt to sharp-pointed, 

edges bordered with long 

cells. Edges at base of leaves 

continue down along the stem. 

Sporophytes uncommon, seta 

long, red to pale green; hanging 

capsule smooth and cylindrical. 

In seeps, fens, streambanks. 

One of few species in this genus 

identifiable in the field.

Common four-tooth moss

Tetraphis pellucida

Small, dull green to red-brown 

plants 8–15 mm tall. Leaves flat, 

erect and spreading; appear to 

be in three rows. The toothless 

leaves are nearly transparent 

when wet. Sporophyte erect, 

twisted when dry; capsule 

cylindrical, smooth, with 

only four teeth. T. genuflexa

(lower photo) similar, but less 

common. Seta is sharply bent. If 

you can kick a rotten stump or 

log and not hurt your toe, these 

2 species are likely there. 

© Michael Lüth

by Martin Hutten

by Martin Hutten
24

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Swamp moss

Philonotis fontana

Dull, yellow- to whitish-green 

mats or cushions; red stems 

1–10 cm tall. Leaves short, 

lance- to egg-shaped, edges 

curved downward. Sporophytes 

uncommon, appearing to 

arise from side of stem due 

to continued growth of stem. 

Seta long, capsule round and 

upright (young); 16-ribbed, 

asymmetrical, and horizontal 

(old). In moist places, especially 

associated with calcium-rich 

water.

Dung moss

Tetraplodon mnioides

Dense tufts, 1–6 cm tall, tops 

green, lower portion yellowbrown with many rhizoids. 

Leaves medium, lance- to 

egg-shaped, widest above 

middle, with long, awl-shaped 

tip; edges smooth and rolled 

inward. Sporophytes common; 

seta short, stiff, dark red; 

cylindrical capsule erect with 4 

teeth, dark red to black, lower 

part slightly wider than upper. 

On dung and animal remains. 

Flies disperse the sticky spores 

to other nitrogen-rich substrates. 

© Michael Lüth

by Ellen Anderson
25

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Ribbed bog moss

Aulacomnium palustre

Yellow-to brownish- or reddishgreen. Upright stems 3–9 cm 

long, lower portion covered 

thickly by reddish hairs. Tip of 

plant often with lance-shaped 

gemmae along a special 

leafless stem. Leaves medium, 

lance-shaped, broadly sharp 

pointed, edges bent backwards. 

Midrib prominent nearly to tip. 

Leaves contorted when dry; 

Sporophytes occasional; seta 

long, capsule ribbed, cylindrical 

and horizontal. On disturbed 

peaty banks in acidic bogs, 

organic soil, and occasionally 

on rotting logs. 

Streamside moss

Scouleria aquatica

Floppy, dark black-green plants 

with reddish-brown rhizoids 

on stem and leaf bases. Highly 

branched stems to 15 cm long. 

Leaves medium, toothed and 

blunt tipped; edges rolled 

under near base. Sporophyte 

immersed in leaves with a dark 

brown-black, nearly spherical 

capsule on short seta. Dry 

capsules rimmed with red teeth. 

In splash zone of swift streams; 

in black mats when submerged.

© Michael Lüth

by Martin Hutten
26

Menzies’ tree moss

Leucolepis acanthoneuron

Tree-shaped with circle of 

branches, umbrella-like, at 

tip of 4–8 cm long stems. 

Branch leaves short, broadly 

lance-shaped, strongly toothed, 

bordered with elongate cells. 

Stem leaves pale, nearly 

white, triangular and toothed. 

Sporophytes common, seta 

long, capsules dark, egg-shaped 

to cylindrical, smooth, and 

hanging. Forms large colonies 

on humus, organic soil, logs, 

boulders, and tree bases; found 

on the Tongass National Forest 

only. Source of yellow dye for 

baskets.

Common tree moss

Climacium dendroides 

Large, tree-shaped plants 2–10 

cm tall, connected underground 

by horizontal stems. Stems with 

many small, green filaments 

between leaves. Branch 

leaves short, egg-shaped, 

sharp-pointed, pleated, and 

toothed. Stem leaves upright, 

broader, pointed, not pleated, 

and pressed against the stem. 

Sporophytes rare; capsules 

upright. On lake edges, in flood 

plain forest, humus-rich woods, 

peatlands.

True Mosses - Acrocarps

© Michael Lüth

by Ellen Anderson

by Rick Turner
27

Hoary rock moss

Racomitrium lanuginosum

Large whitish- or gray-green 

mounds; stems 4–12 cm long, 

irregularly branched. Leaves 

medium, narrow, lance-shaped 

with long, slender, clear bristlepoint, contrasting with green 

lower portion; midrib strong. 

Sporophytes occasional; seta 

short, capsules upright and 

smooth. The overlapping, longbristled leaf tips help protect 

from drying wind and sun. On 

drier acidic rocks and peatlands. 

Although this moss looks like 

a pleurocarp moss, it is an 

acrocarp; the sporophytes arise 

from the tips.

True Mosses - Acrocarps

Pioneering mosses and lichens on glacier-scoured rock at 

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau, Alaska.

by Rick Turner
28

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, 

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or 

(202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 

employer.

Mosses and Liverworts of the National Forests in Alaska 

highlights 51 of the more common bryophytes found in 

the Alaska Region of the USDA Forest Service. This Region 

includes the Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest at 17 

million acres, and the 5-million acre Chugach National Forest. 

The Tongass encompasses most of southeastern Alaska, and 

the Chugach generally surrounds Prince William Sound. 

Photos were provided by: Ellen Anderson, Brett Calhoon, 

Martin Hutten, Rick Turner, and Michael Lüth (@ USDANRCS PLANTS Database / Lüth, M. 2004. Pictures of 

bryophytes from Europe [CD-ROM]. Published by the 

author). Illustrations by Rick Turner.

This brochure was developed by the Tongass National Forest 

Botany and Ecology Program in cooperation with Chugach 

National Forest and the Alaska Region.

Suggested field references for additional information: Plants 

of the Pacific Northwest, Pojar and MacKinnon; Mosses 

Lichens & Ferns of Northwest North America, Vitt, Marsh, 

and Bovey; Some Common Mosses of British Columbia, 

Schofield; and Field Guide to Liverwort Genera of Pacific 

North America, Schofield.

Cover photograph: White-toothed peatmoss (Sphagnum 

girgensohnii) draping a forest log on Admiralty Island 

southeast Alaska. Photo by Ellen Anderson