The Science Of Mood Moss (Broom Moss/Dicranum Moss)

Mood moss, also sold as rock cap moss and known as broom moss or Dicranum moss, is a species known for its lush, velvety look and upright tufts that sweep in one direction. It is called rock cap because it caps boulders and stone in the wild, which is exactly what it is used for in a garden. This article will dive into the scientific name, taxonomy, classification, habitat, distribution, reproduction and the life cycle of mood moss.

1. Scientific Name

Mood Moss is the common name for Dicranum scoparium. As a moss species and is part of the Bryophyta division, of the class Bryopsida, the order Dicranales, is a member of the Dicranaceae family, and is part of the genus Dicranum.

2. Taxonomy of Mood Moss

The taxonomic classification of Dicranum scoparium, is structured as follows:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Bryophyta
• Class: Bryopsida
• Order: Dicranales
• Family: Dicranaceae
• Genus: Dicranum
• Species: Dicranum scoparium

3. Classification

Mood moss (Dicranum scoparium) is categorized within the moss group (Bryophyta) and under the Bryopsida class. This moss belongs to the Dicranales order and the Dicranaceae family. This family contains a lot of moss species known for their distinctive, tufted growth patterns.

4. Habitat

Dicranum Moss can survive in different soil types but in nature, it is often found predominantly in humid, shaded forests across temperate regions.

This moss is commonly found on the forest floor, on the trunks of trees, and rocks and prefers acidic soil conditions above all. Like most mosses, it needs moisture but well-drained soil can often be found in deciduous and coniferous forests.

5. Distribution

Mood Moss is distributed across North America, Europe, and large areas of Asia. In North America you can find it in the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Mountains.

This moss is also common in Europe from the British Isles to the forests of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. In Asia, it is mainly found in regions in Japan and Korea.

6. Ecological Importance

Dicranum Moss is an important part of ecosystems worldwide because it serves as a moisture regulator and as a habitat for microfauna. The dense mat protects the forest floor from erosion and contains the water for the roots of the trees.

As it decomposes, it creates organic matter for the forest floor. Mood moss is also a bioindicator and shows that a (micro)environment is in a healthy condition.

7. Physical Characteristics

This moss can be recognized by its thick, velvety mats and clubs and can sometimes appear almost feathery in texture. The leaves of mood moss are lance-shaped and curve upwards. This forms dense clusters and has a lush, carpet-like appearance. One of my favorite things about this moss is its softness. The common name is said to come from the way it changes appearance with moisture, looking quite different wet and dry.

8. Internal Structure

Mood Moss doesn’t have complex structures of vascular plants so it doesn’t have true roots, stems, and leaves. Like all mosses, it has a simple stem (caulid) and leaves, with rhizoids that anchor it to the soil or other substrate. Rhizoids are not roots and take up very little: like all mosses it absorbs water and nutrients through its leaves.

The cellular structure of Mood Moss contains chlorophyllose cells for photosynthesis and hyaline cells for water retention which makes it able to survive in diverse habitats.

9. Reproduction of Mood Moss

Reproduction in Dicranum scoparium happens by both asexual and sexual methods. Asexually this moss can propagate through fragmentation where pieces of the moss break off (or are broken into pieces by humans) and grow into new individuals.

The other method is sexual reproduction. With this method it produces spores in sporophytes. These spores are then taken by the wind and spread out and grow into new plants ensuring the genetic diversity of this moss.

10. Life Cycle of Mood Moss

The life cycle of broom moss happens in haploid (gametophyte) and diploid (sporophyte) stages.

First, it begins with the germination of haploid spores that grow into gametophytes. These gametophytes produce reproductive organs namely:

• archegonia (female) and
• antheridia (male).

Next, fertilization happens when sperm from the antheridia reach the archegonia which leads to the formation of a diploid zygote.

Then, the zygote develops into a sporophyte. This will eventually release spores andthis completes the cycle and begins the next generation of mood moss.

You can buy Mood Moss in our webshop if you are interested in growing this moss in your garden.

Related reading: Hats off to moss · Dish This! · Bullish Brown

Pending review by Olivia Milner, practitioner-scientist with a background in sustainability and education.