Gymnostomum calcareum Blunt-leaf Tufa-moss

This dioicous, acrocarpous moss is similar to Gymnostomium aeruginosum, but forms brighter green mounds or cushions on soft limestone and tufa in damp, shaded places. When dry, the leaves are appressed to the stem but do not become twisted (compare with Gymnostomium aruginosum which has twisted leaves when dry). It is a rare plant in Britain and it is scarce in Wales and mostly confined to the south. It is very rare in West Glamorgan with one pre-1980 record from Gower, but it has not been recorded there in recent decades. Most plants are female and sporophyte capsules are rarely found.