Water moss
Fontinalis antipyretica · Aquatic plants
Out of the water · Photo: Dawid Juszczak / CC BY
Also called Willow moss, Fountain moss
How to identify Water moss
- Dark green moss with three rows of folded, keeled leaves
- Long trailing stems attached to rocks or wood
- A moss, with no flowers or roots
Similar plants
Coontail and milfoil can look similar at a glance but have whorled, divided leaves, while water moss has small undivided leaves.
Growth profile
| Growing season | Grows all year, mostly in cool months, and stays green under ice. |
|---|---|
| Starts growing | Grows in cold water, near 40 F |
| Light | Tolerates shade and low light |
| Depth | A few inches to 15 feet |
| How it spreads | Stem fragments and spores |
| Habitat | Cold streams, springs, spring fed ponds and rocky lake shores, often in flowing water. |
Why it matters in a lake
Provides cover for aquatic insects and small fish. Can build up on screens and intakes in spring fed systems.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Occasional
- Oregon: Occasional
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Bryophyta |
| Class | Bryopsida |
| Order | Hypnales |
| Family | Fontinalaceae |
| Scientific name | Fontinalis antipyretica |
Eurasian watermilfoil
Curly leaf pondweed
Brazilian elodea
Coontail
Elodea
Sago pondweed
Leafy pondweed
Common bladderwort
White water buttercup
Slender naiadNeed a hand?
Is it taking over your lake?
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