Giant Water Moss

For inquiries contact Ed Klekowski

In the Connecticut River a submerged giant moss garden is growing on the rocks and boulders of the French King Gorge. The gorge is upstream from the French King Bridge.
Click here to find out why giant moss grows in the Gorge.

Although SCUBA divers like to explore these waters, this area is safe only when the river is not running. Beneath the water, the bottom is a jumble of rocks and boulders. Growing on the boulders is a large population of the giant water moss (Fontinalis).

SCUBA divers discover Fontinalis growing on rocks and ledges ten feet below the river's surface in the French King Gorge.

This plant is a Bryophyte. The life cycle is interesting. The adult plant growing on the rocks has a haploid chromosome set in each cell (humans, in contrast, have a diploid chromosome set per cell). In the winter Fontinalis undergoes sexual reproduction, forming a diploid phase. Since you would be out of your mind to SCUBA dive in the French King Gorge in the winter, just take my word for this. I have it on good authority! To learn more about Fontinalis, Dr. Janice Glime is the authority.