Ephemerum serratum Starry Earth-moss

A minute acrocarpous moss which grow in muddy, non-calcareous soils at the margins of rivers and reservoirs and along tracks. It has a scattered distribution in Britain, including Wales, and it is occasional in West Glamorgan. The leaves are about 1mm long, capsules are commonly present and it is easily overlooked and probably under recorded. Furthermore, it was formerly referred to as Etosthdodon minutissimum and the species formerly referred to as Entosthodon serratum is now called Entosthodon stoloniferum. Entosthodon minutissimum sensu stricto is more a species of drier habitats such as arable fields and there is some confusion regarding the exact status of this species in West Glamorgan. However, the coarsly papillose spores of Entosthodon serratum are fairly distinctive under the microscope (see photos).