Tree Moss, Cattail Moss, Isothecium Moss, Slender Mouse-tail Moss

Tree Moss, Cattail Moss, Isothecium Moss, Slender Mouse-tail Moss Isothecium mysosuroides (I. stoloniferum) Medium shade; medium moisture level; grows well in trees and on decaying stumps, rocks or even a bedding of decaying leaves;  tolerates less acidic conditions than most mosses. Native Region:  Listed by the Tennessee Herbarium as native to Tennessee with no listing by county Description:  This moss species is very versatile and exhibits extreme variation in color and in branching and growth patterns depending on where it is growing.  This confusing variation led to the mistaken belief that the two scientific names above were different species, although they are now recognized as one.  Color can range from brownish green to dark green to pale green to golden green.   It is most common in coastal rain forests of the west coast where it can hang in curtains from the trees.  However, it does occur in eastern United States but not as abundantly.   It seems to prefer deciduous trees rather than evergreens because the manner in which deciduous trees take in water creates an ideal, moist habitat for the moss.  A great moss for growing orchids and in terrarium and vivarium plantings.

Photo courtesy of wikipedia, Herman Schachner https://en.wikipedia.org/ Photo courtesy of Amory Ballantine iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org