Red-stemmed feather moss
Pleurozium schreberi
Fire effect on plant
Red Stemmed feather moss is generally killed by severe fire, because it often lacks connection to the substrate (Tesky, 1992). Although low severity fires that only remove shrubby fuels and not litter may leave the moss layer intact.
Key traits
Can regrow from unburned fragments remaining in the soil (Tesky, 1992). Its generally high fuel moisture status, will also protect it from low severity fire.
Plant response to fire
Red Stemmed feather moss is not well adapted to fire but some unburned fragments can remain in the soil and regrow (Tesky, 1992). Typically recovery following severe fire is very slow (Tesky, 1992). The high moisture content of the moss when in good health will aid survival in low severity fires.
Timing of history
Spore release February to May.
Conservation status
None.
References
Tesky, Julie L. 1992. Hylocomium splendens. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/bryophyte/hylspl/all.html [Expert opinion; grey literature]