At a glance
Essentials
- Size
- Stems 0.2 to 1.5 cm in height; leaves 0.5 to 1.5 mm long. The range may vary with age, sex and population.
- Distribution
- Cosmopolitan, present on all continents, including Antarctica.
- Habitat
- Disturbed substrates, rich in nitrates, such as asphalt, concrete, walls, and pavement cracks.
- Activity
- Dioicous and asexual reproduction through bulbils and protonema gemmae.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
Silvery or whitish appearance in the dry state due to the hyaline zone (without chloroplasts) at the tip of the leaves.
- 02
Small size, with stems of 0.2 to 1.5 cm and ovate leaves 0.5 to 1.5 mm long.
- 03
Ovate or obovate leaves, concave, with an acute or obtuse apex and entire or rarely denticulate margin.
- 04
Spore capsule shortly cylindrical, wider at the base, dark red to black in color.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Bryum argenteum is a species of acrocarpous moss in the family Bryaceae. It is distinguished by its silvery or whitish color when dry, a trait caused by the absence of chlorophyll in the cells at the tip of the leaves, which reflect light. The plants form dense mats or isolated cushions, with stems 0.2 to 1.5 cm in length that have a cylindrical profile and ovate or obovate leaves 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In a moist state, the leaves spread out and the silvery appearance disappears, while in a dry state they appress along the stem, giving it a scaly or worm-like appearance.
This species is pioneer and cosmopolitan, capable of colonizing a wide variety of substrates, including artificial ones such as asphalt, concrete, walls, roofs, and pavement cracks. It prefers disturbed environments, rich in nutrients (especially nitrates) and subject to periodic desiccation, being very common in urban and industrial areas. Its tolerance to desiccation is notable, being able to survive total droughts and brief exposures to high temperatures, rapidly recovering its photosynthetic activity after rehydration. Reproduction is dioicous, although it also occurs asexually through bulbils and protonema gemmae, which facilitates its dispersal by plant fragments adhering to footwear or hooves, as well as through the trade of plants.