Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme

A rich green or brownish-green, dioicous, pleurocarpous moss which grows on rock but is rarely found as an epiphyte on trees. It is usually larger that Hynum andoi, although there is some overlap in the sizes of these species. It is found throughout Britain but many records named Hypnum cupressiforme are referrable to the entire complex of species known as Hypnum cupressifome agg, which includes similar taxa like Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum, Hypnum andoi and Hypnum jutlandicum. With the same caveats, it is common in Wales. As a general rule, a robust, green Hypnum with brownish tints and growing on acidic or slightly basic rock is likely to be Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme. It appears to be much less common than Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum  in coastal areas and also less common than Hypnum andoi and Hypnum jutlandicum in upland areas of West Glamorgan. However, perhaps as a consequence of cautious identification, its overall status and distribution in our area is uncertain and it is probably under recorded. Sporophyte capsules, which have a long beaked lid, are frequent in winter.