Moss Types and a Fairy Castle

I love finding little treasures of the forest. This little beauty is what some would call a Faerie Castle. There are plenty of legends throughout the world about faerie homes. Although I couldn't actually find any faeries it is quite a magical scene. There are three different mosses forming this castle.

1. Sheet Moss (horticulture name)
   • Family: Hypnaceae
   • Genus: Hypnum
   • Group: Moss
   • Growth habit: Nonvascular
     Sheet Moss AKA Hypnum Moss (Greek meaning Hypno) is one that is found all over the world except Antarctica. It typically grows on rocks, logs, trees and stumps, and even the ground itself. It prefers acidic soil and is one of the more pollution tolerant varieties.

Random Fact: This Moss has been used to stuff pillows and mattresses. Hence the Greek name Hypno Moss

1. Mood Moss (Dicranum Scoparium)
   • Family: Dicranaceae
   • Genus: Dicranum
   • Group: Moss
   • Growth Habit: Acrocarpous
     Mood Moss aka Broom Moss is an Evergreen Moss native to North America. It grows in clumps on rocks, trees, or with other Moss.

Random Fact: The spores and the leaves of Mood Moss will always curve in the same direction.

1. Fern Moss
   • Family: Thuidiaceae
   • Genus: Thuidium
   • Group: Moss
   • Growth Habit: Prostrate
     Fern Moss gets its name from the Fern like leaves that make up the Moss. It's also native to North America and makes mats of moss on grassy areas, rocks, tree stumps, etc. Only 10 species of 73 are native to North America.

Random Fact: Fern Moss is the moss used for cultivating orchids.

Camera Canon Rebel T6 DSLR
Lens: 18 to 55mm
Specs:

I used Landscape mode to keep the photo sharp.