Common haircap

The common haircap is a large, vertically growing moss with long needle-like leaves. When dry, its leaves adhere to the stem and it resembles a small spruce when wet. The plant’s beaklike spore capsules are found at the end of its thin stalks.

The common haircap grows on hummocks in swamplands, especially in spruce-, peat-, and swampy heath forests. It can also be found in rock depressions and along flooded coasts. The species is widespread and found in cool areas around the world.

Its Finnish name “korpikarhunsammal” refers to bears, because it is used by bears as nest linings and insulation for their dens.