Fissidens gracilifolius Narrow-leaved Pocket-moss

A tiny, dioicous or autoicous Pocket-moss, with bordered leaves, which grows on base-rich rock such as limestone or calcium-enriched sandstones. It is difficult to distinguish from Fissidens pusillus and sometimes regarded as just a form of it. Key features include the long leaves at the top of the shoot (below the capsules) which are 7-9 times as long as broad (4-6 times as long as broad in Fissidens pusillus) and the nerve which extends beyond the leaf tip (nerve ends at or below the leaf tip in Fissidens pusillus). Fissidens gracillifolius is also found in drier habitats. It is scattered in areas where there is chalk or limestone in Britain and in Wales it is most common in the south. There is one record in West Glamorgan from south Gower. Sporophyte capsules are often abundant from autumn through to spring.