Leucobryum juniperoideum Smaller White-moss

Very similar to Leucobryum glaucum, but it is much more a woodland moss. Leaf shape is often used to separate the two species (see description of Leucobryum glaucum). In section, the costa (nerve) in the middle of the basal part of the leaf is usually just 2 cells thick, whereas it is 4-6 cells thick in Leucobryum glaucum. The capsules of Leucobryum juniperoideum have a marked swelling at the base of the neck, which is a good identification feature if fruiting specimens are available. Apparently much less common than Leucobryum glaucum and with a scattered and mostly western distribution in Britain, but inconsistencies in differentiating the two species may be a significant factor in this. It is at least as common as Leucobryum glaucum in West Glamorgan and it has been found only in woodland here and frequently in spruce plantations. Male plants are uncommon and epiphytic on females. Sporophyte capsules are rare