Diphyscium foliosum Nut-moss

A dioicous, acrocarpous moss with strap shaped leaves and stalkless capsules that look like a little nut. The leaves surrounding the capsules are quite long (up to 8mm) and filamentous. It is unmistakable when in fruit, but it often occurs in small patches and if not fruiting it is easily overlooked. It is a moss of acidic soils in scree, rock crevices and on vertical rock faces in rocky overhangs. It is very shade tolerant and often grows in very shaded and sheltered locations. It is widespread in the west and north of Britain and throughout the uplands of Wales, but is rarely abundant anywhere. It is found in the uplands of West Glamorgan and is possibly under recorded. Sporophyte capsules are frequent in summer.