Hygrohypnella ochracea Claw Brook-moss

A dioicous, aquatic, pleurocarpous moss which grows on rocks, often submerged, in fast flowing, acidic water in rivers or streams and near waterfalls in the uplands. It forms rather soft brownish-green patches which can be quite large, with blunt-tipped leaves leaves that are curved and concave. Hygohypnum luridum is similar but prefers more base-rich water and it is usually less robust with leaves that have a more acute tip. Sometimes these two species are very difficult to separate. It is a montane species that has a western and northern distribution in Britain. It is found throughout Wales, but is scarcer in the south. It is scattered in the upland, riparian systems of West Glamorgan and is locally frequent in the acidic waters of the Afan Valley.  Sporophyte capsules are rare.