Many moss species do not have any common names (names other than the formal latin name). Polytrichum juniperinum, on the other hand, has a common name in at least 18 languages (probably more, but that’s all I could find). The te reo Māori name for P. juniperinum is tōtara. Yes, the same as the tree. Although it initially seems odd that a tree and a moss have the same name, the name reflects the spiky-ness of both the tree and the moss. P. juniperinum is widespread and very common around Aotearoa and the world. It is usually found in open (non-forest) sites, but other than that is quite flexible in its habitat requirements. P. juniperinum can be distinguished from the other species of Polytrichum by its in-rolled leaf margins.
Cuteness: 4/10
Distinctiveness: 10/10
LMR: 5/10

Posted on October 23, 2024 07:16 AM by fuligogirl