Thuidium delicatulum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- thoo-IH-dee-um de-lih-KA-chew-lum
- Description
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Delicate fern moss is a true moss that is commonly found in shady areas of gardens and woodlands. It is native to a wide area of eastern North America, including North Carolina. It is a member of the fern moss family (Thuidiaceae). The species epithet means "little delicate one."
This moss grows spontaneously on the surface of moist, shady soil. It can be found growing among turf grass, if the soil is moist. Like many mosses, it can grow rampantly where conditions are suitable but grows poorly or not at all where conditions are suboptimal.
Shoots of this moss are branched in a way that resembles a pinnately compound fern frond. The bright green color and delicate leafy shoots are two of this moss's stand-out attributes. They cover the ground, sometimes densely.
Delicate fern moss is perfect for a fairy garden, native garden, woodland or riparian garden. It may make itself at home in other gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: None.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thuidium
- Species:
- delicatulum
- Family:
- Thuidiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- The moss is gathered by birds and small mammals to line nests.
- Play Value:
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- There are no fruits. This plant reproduces by spores. The spore capsules are slightly curved, cylindrical, and borne on rust-colored stalks about 1 inch tall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- There are no flowers. This plant reproduces by spores.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The tiny leaves that clothe the stems are difficult to see without a microscope. They are ovate to triangular, about 1 mm long, and overlap one another along the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Fairy Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Storm damage
