Bryum bornholmense Potato Bryum

A small, dioicous Bryum in the Erythrocarpa group which occurs on sandy or peaty soils in heathland, particularly after burning. It can be confused with Bryum rubens, but unlike that species it is not a plant of arable land or ruderal habitats. Identification requires examination of well-grown tubers, which occur on the long, brownish-red rhizoids. It is scattered mostly in the south of Britain with occasional records in West Glamorgan. Spotophyte capsules are produced occasionally in the spring.