Funaria hygrometrica

Bonfire Moss, Common Cord-Moss, Cord Moss

A pioneer moss that colonises bare, disturbed soil — roadsides, burnt earth, and empty plant pots — across every continent except Antarctica, which is how it earned the name 'bonfire moss'. Its short upright stems rarely exceed 1 cm, forming loose pale-green tufts; when fertile, each stem raises a distinctive pear-shaped capsule on a long yellowish stalk that twists when dry. It does best in cool to moderate temperatures with steady moisture and good airflow, making it better suited to open terrariums than to sealed ones. Once established it spreads readily from spores, which germinate within just a few days under good conditions.