bristly haircap moss

Polytrichum piliferum has a bipolar, cosmopolitan distribution, occurring in suitable habitats on all continents including Antarctica. P. piliferum is less common than Polytrichum juniperinum and it often occurs in association with species of Cladonia. In sandy dry grass lands the species prevents higher plants from growing.

Habitat. It is found in similar habitats to Polytrichum juniperinum, however, P. piliferum prefers more open and exposed areas. P. piliferum also prefers a drier environment and is able to withstand temperatures as high as 90°C to 100°C. P. piliferum can also be frequently found in areas that are acidic and low in nutrients, therefore, they can be an excellent gauge for nutrient levels. The habitat of P. piliferum includes shallow soil over outcrops, exposed sandy soils of banks, gravel cover, and disturbed areas. Other habitats of P. piliferum includes rocks on road banks or pastures. It is also found in shallow and drained sand or gravel, like in ground over rocks and boulders.

P. piliferum is dioicous, meaning that it has separate male and female plants. To sexually reproduce, this moss utilizes the splash-cup mechanism to disperse the sperm it produces from its antheridia. The splash-cup mechanism occurs when raindrops splash onto the antheridia, collect sperm, and are hopefully splashed onto the female plant, where the sperm can swim to the archegonia.