Polytrichum commune

Polytrichum commune

The common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune Hedwig, 1801) is a moss belonging to the Polytrichaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Bryophyta Division,
Polytrichopsida class,
Polytrichales Order,
Polytrichaceae family,
Genus Polytrichum,
P. commune species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Polytrichum alticaule Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum assimile Hampe;
– Polytrichum atrichoides Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum brachypelma Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum cataractarum Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum commune subsp. africanum Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum commune subsp. cubicum Lindb .;
– Polytrichum commune subsp. humile Sw .;
– Polytrichum commune subsp. uliginosum Wallr .;
– Polytrichum commune var. cubicum (Lindb.) Habeeb;
– Polytrichum commune var. cubicum (Lindb.) I. Hagen;
– Polytrichum commune var. minus Brid .;
– Polytrichum elatum P. Beauv .;
– Polytrichum flaccido-gracile Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum leonii Papp;
– Polytrichum madagassum Hampe;
– Polytrichum mildbraedii Broth .;
– Polytrichum paludicola Cardot;
– Polytrichum purpurascens Brid .;
– Polytrichum quadrangulare Gilib .;
– Polytrichum radulifolium Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum rehmanni Müll.Hal .;
– Polytrichum remotifolium P. Beauv .;
– Polytrichum subformosum subsp. anomalum Thér .;
– Polytrichum subformosum var. anomalum Thér .;
– Polytrichum uliginosum (Wallr.) Schriebl.
Within this species, the following subspecies and varieties are recognized:
– Polytrichum commune subsp. common;
– Polytrichum commune subsp. nigrescens L. ex Hedw .;
– Polytrichum commune var. common;
– Polytrichum commune var. deflexifolium (Warnst.) Podp .;
– Polytrichum commune var. fastigiatum Wilson;
– Polytrichum commune var. humile Sw .;
– Polytrichum commune var. uliginosum Wallr .;
– Polytrichum commune f. chalubinskii (Zmuda) Podp ..

Etymology –
The term Polytrichum comes from the Greek πολύς polýs very, numerous and from ϑρίξ, τριχóϛ thríx, trichόs pelo, bristle: very hairy.
The specific common epithet comes from the Latin communis, and, that is, common, banal.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Polytrichum commune is a moss with a wide distribution in the temperate and boreal latitudes of the northern hemisphere and is also found in Mexico, in several Pacific islands, including New Zealand, Australia and Africa.
Its habitat is somewhat varied but typically grows in swamps, humid moors and along forest waterways; it frequently grows on gravelly soils and steep banks of dirt roads. It is found in humid or more xeric (drier) places in shady areas, from light to dense, or in full sun, on gentle to steep slopes, from over 250 to about 900 m. s.l.m ..

Description –
Polytrichum commune is a sexually dioecious moss of medium-large size.
It has a dark green color that tends to brown with age.
The stems can appear in loose or rather dense tufts, often forming large colonies.
The stems have lengths of 5 to 10 cm, but can be shorter, around 2 cm or longer, up to 70 cm. Their stiffness varies from erect to declined (i.e. reclining) and they are usually unbranched, although in rare cases they may be forked.
The leaves are densely to rather distant and the bracts are present proximally. They measure 6 to 8mm in length, but can be up to 12mm long. When dry they are erect, but when wet they are sinuous with curved tips and generally extend and are broadly curved or very curved from the base. The leaf sheath has an oblong to elliptical profile, forming an involute tube (i.e. with inward wavy margins) and embracing the stem. This sheath is golden yellow and shiny, and is clearly contracted on the very lanceolate blade. Using a microscope, the marginal lamina can be viewed as level or erect, narrow and generally 2 to 3 cells wide, although sometimes up to 7 cells wide. It is toothed from the base of the blade to the apex, with unicellular teeth and set in the margin. The rib, or central peduncle of the leaf, is toothed on the underside near the apex, and extends beyond the tip of the apex, ending in a short, rough tip.
The gills which run along the leaf surface are crenulated (i.e. with small rounded teeth) in profile and are 5 to 9 cells high. Their margins are distinctly grooved with 2 rows of paired and protruding protrusions. The marginal cells, when viewed in section, may be narrow, but are more typically enlarged and wider than those below. They are retuse (i.e. with rounded apex with a shallow central notch) to deeply serrated, and in rare cases are divided by a vertical partition. These cells are smooth and brownish in color and have relatively thick cell walls. Sheath cells measure 60 to 90 µm in length and 10 to 13 µm in width. These cells can be elongated rectangles or strongly linear structures up to 20 times wider. They shrink towards the margins. The cells of the marginal lamina are 10 to 15 µm wide and are sub-square (ie nearly square).

Cultivation –
Polytrichum commune is a moss found in many regions with high humidity and rainfall.
It is widely distributed in temperate and boreal latitudes in the northern hemisphere but is also present in the southern hemisphere.
It usually grows in swamps, humid moors, and along forest streams.
It is a pollution tolerant genus and is frequently found in disturbed areas and is also a bioindicator of acid soils.
Polytrichum commune grows in association with other mosses, such as Fissidens species, Campylopus pilifer, Atrichum androgynum, and vascular plants such as Lycopodium cernum and Selaginella, Erica and Drosera species.
This moss is harvested locally for uses in traditional local medicines.

Customs and Traditions –
Polytrichum commune is a moss used in various parts of the world for various uses.
It is used in traditional medicine, horticulture, home crafts and cosmetics.
It has been used by some populations to prepare a tea to dissolve kidney and gallbladder stones.
Among other uses it has also been used as a decorative material on New Zealand Maori cloaks. This use stemmed from the fact that extra insulation and decoration were thought to be provided.
The leaves have also been used to make brushes and brooms, and woven or woven into mats, rugs, baskets, etc.
A hair moss taken from a Roman fort in Newstead, England dates back to 86 AD.
An extract from the musk was used as a rinse for women’s hair to strengthen and beautify the braids.
In general, mosses have many different uses. Moss is an important component of peat, which is extracted for use as fuel, as a soil additive for horticulture and in smoked malt in Scotch whiskey production.

Preparation Method –
The whole moss of the common haircap moss is used both for medicinal purposes and to extract useful substances in cosmetics and other uses.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.