Taxonomy

Division:

Bryophyta | - Mosses

Family:

Polytrichaceae

Genus:

Atrichum

Species:

Atrichum selwynii

USDA Symbol:

ATSE3

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Nonvascular

Height:

3 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Ground Cover:

Yes

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

invertebrates, soil stabilization

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Notes:

Mosses are generally sensitive to fire and recover slowly; typically recolonize burned areas from adjacent unburned patches.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil

pH:

5.0 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers shaded forest floors

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Mosses reproduce primarily via spores; propagation typically done through vegetative division of established colonies.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI