Dichodontium pellucidum Transparent Fork-moss

A dioicous, acrocrpous moss which occurs on rocks and banks in the vicinity of upland streams, rivers and seepages. It also grows on wet, rocky cliffs, walls and masonary. Other habitats include the wet, grittty margins of forestry roads and tracks. It is very variable in form. In shaded habitats, near streams and rivers, it forms rather lax colonies but in exposed habitats on cliffs and along forest roads it forms smaller, more compact cushions. Dichodontium flavescens is similar and also grows in shaded, riparian habitats. Without sporophyte capsules, riparian populations of these two 'species' are difficult to separate (see description of Dichodontium flavescens). However, we have taken the view that populations along forest roads, which rarely have capsules, are Dichodontium pellucidum sensu stricto. It is a common species in the uplands of West Glamorgan, particularly in Neath Port Talbot, and a ubiquitous member of the forestry road assemblage on damp, gritty soils. Sporophyte capsules are uncommon.