Fissidens bryoides var. caespitans Curnow's Pocket-moss

An autoicous Pocket-moss which is similar to Fissidens bryoides var bryoides and sometimes regarded as a separate species, Fissidens curnovii. It differs in having inclined capsules and a more heavily thickened border to its leaves. If present, the occurrence of purple rhizoids is a distinguishing feature but it often has brown rhizoids. It is much less common in Britain than Fissidens bryoides var bryoides and has a largely southwestern distributiion with scattered sites further north, particularly in the west of Scotland. It is common in west Wales and frequent on the acidic soils of the South Wales Coalfield in West Glamorgan, but it is uncommon in Gower. Sporophyte capsules are common.