Hamatocaulis vernicosus Varnished Hook-moss

A dioicous, pleucarpous, hook-moss which grows in peaty marshland and fens particularly where there is mineral or base-rich flushing. It tends to grow upright with pleated leaves that are red and broad at their base, and which taper towards the tip, mostly pointing in one direction. The shoots are usually distinctly red  near the top. It is rather local in Britain with a western distribution concentrated in Wales. It is rare and very local in West Glamorgan where there are populations on Cefn Bryn in Gower and Gors Llwyn in Neath Port Talbot. Sporophyte capsules are very rare.