Didymodon icmadophilus Pointed Beard-moss

An Arctic-montane, dioicous, acrocarpous moss which forms loose tufts or cushions on base-rich substrates, sometimes intermingled with other bryophytes. The distribution map for this species in the Atlas of British and Irish Bryophytes indicates that it has an extremely northern distribution in Britain, absent from Wales, and suggested that it is probably under recorded. Unfortunately, there are some taxanomic difficulties with this species and particularly its relationship with Didymodon validus. However as this species is currently understood in Britain, our records show that it has a scattered distribution in West Glamorgan and appears to be spreading along roads and tracks. It is locally common along the gritty edges of forest roads that have been dressed with calcareous gravel and it can form large patches on calcareous, skeletal substrates in ruderal habitats. West Glamorgan plants are quite distinctive with long pointed leaves and a prominwnet nerve that disappears into the extended filamentous tip. Sporophyte capsules are unknown in Britain.