Medicinal Monday - Broom Moss

Mosses are thought to be one of the first plants to emerge from the "primordial swamp," to establish a terrestrial presence.  They are among the oldest plants found throughout the world and are thought to date to the Upper Devonian Period, which happened about 400 million years ago. There are more than 25,000 types of moss, and one of the most interesting and common is called Broom Moss. Native Americans used this moss in many clever ways both medicinally and in ways that enhanced their lifestyle.

About Broom Moss

Dicranum scoparium, or broom moss is the most common species of dicranid moss that can be found in the northern hemisphere including Connecticut. This moss grows far afield and grows as far away as  Mexico, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Broom Moss grows in tufts or mats on the soil and is usually found in dry to moist forested areas. This moss grows on woolly stems and can be identified by its lance-shaped robust and coarse shiny leaves that are folded and curved to one side.  The leaf margins along the outer one-third of their length are usually serrated, while their margins along the lower two-thirds of their length are toothless. 

Like all moss, they produce a spore-bearing capsule on a long slender stalk that is yellowish to reddish brown when it reaches maturity.  These capsules taper like long beaks and when they fall to the ground, a ring of 16 teeth is revealed that release the spores through these openings.  Individual plants are anchored to the ground by their buried stems and coarse rhizoids.

Medicinal and Practical Uses

Mosses have been widely used by Native American communities to treat wounds for infection because of their antiseptic qualities. Due to their bulk and softness, they have also been used for centuries to dress wounds. Because they are absorbent, moss has been used for personal hygiene for women and as diapers for babies.

Mosses were also used inside Native American dwellings for added insulation. They were often used for bedding and carpeting. Broom Moss was even used as a preservative and placed around food stores.

Did You Know...

Another name for broom moss is broom fork moss and wind-blown moss.

The scientific name, Dicranum scoparium refers to the structure of the spores. Scopa is Latin for broom, it refers to the fact the leaves have been swept to one side.

Moss may be one of the earliest words in the Germanic languages. The word meos in Old World English stems from High German mos which means swamp.

Colonies of this moss provide hiding places for many small invertebrate animals.

Lace bugs feed on this moss.