Cogtail moss is almost nowhere to be found in the Netherlands and is also very rare in the rest of Europe. In many countries, according to plant experts, it no longer occurs at all.
If the moss species appears anywhere, it is always in very small growing areas. This is also the case in Overijssel, where researchers saw a clump of the rare moss. That happened when they wanted to moor their boat in the swamp area.
Fritillary moss has thin, erect stems and forms a felt-like layer. The species thrives in peat bogs, on or near the water. The moss can also float.
The fact that the species was found in National Park Weerribben-Wieden has to do with the relatively good quality of the water, according to Natuurmonumenten. The organization manages the park “among other things to preserve this beautiful vast swamp area with reed beds, quaking bogs, hay meadows and swamp forest”. Natuurmonumenten calls the discovery of the moss species “a step in the right direction”.
