Glittering wood moss (Hylocomium splendens)

14 February 2022

The red stems of glittering wood moss.

Found in woodland, heaths and moors, forming glossy yellowish-green or brownish carpets with red stems. Shoots can be 10cm long or more. Most common on acid soils or leached chalk grassland. This is my favourite moss of all, I love both its Latin and common name and the surprising brightness of the red stems when most of us assume moss is always green.