Grimmia orbicularis Round-fruited Grimmia

A Submediterranean-Subatlantic, autoicous, acrcarpous moss which is widely distributed in warmer parts of the world. It is very similar to Grimmia pulvinata and grows in similar places but it has much rounder capsules with a blunt nipple-like tip to the lid. It also has a stronger preference for base-rich rock (particularly lmestone) and calcareous walls on which it forms hoary cushions, usually covered in sporophyte capsules. It appears to be sensitive to air pollution and may have declined in Britain in past decades as a result. It's current distribution is patchy and it is rare in Wales but it may be overlooked for Grimmia pulvinata. Most of the West Glamorgan records are from the south Gower coast but there are also some records from Neath Port Talbot.