Truly transformative

     Hedwigia ciliata is an amazing moss, taking only three seconds to go from a dead-appearing state to a very-much-alive green.  Just add water.  The first two photos, the first of "dead" moss, the second of very much alive moss, were taken just seconds apart.  Note the small expansive section of moss on the top left to prove it is of the same location.  This moss is usually found on granite rocks in full sun.  When it is dry (almost always), it goes dormant and looks rather unsightly.  With rain or fog, it is a very pretty moss.  If watered in the dormant state, it looks pretty in seconds, but not as pretty after it rains.  Nature apparently has magical powers.
     Photos three through six were taken after a light snowfall.
     The last two photos were taken in Japan, where the stems were much longer than I ever saw elsewhere, up to six inches.
     This moss is not too common, but if you search long enough, you should find it where there are granite rocks in the sun.  If you add water and in three seconds the "dead stuff comes alive," you likely found some Hedwigia ciliata moss.  If so, the next time it rains, see how beautiful it is.