bank haircup moss; Polytrichastrum formosum
A species of moss; the name is a biological term. In everyday contexts, it is simply referred to as a type of moss.
Bank haircup moss is often found in damp mountainous areas.
Katakana spelling is common for this moss species; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and may not be widely recognized; the katakana form is preferred.
The name likely derives from 大杉 (great cedar) and 苔 (moss), referring to its appearance resembling a small cedar tree. The exact origin is uncertain.