Microbryum curvicollum Swan-necked Earth-moss

A very small, autoicous, acrocapous moss which grows  as a winter annual on disturbed, calcareous soils in arable fields, soil crevices among limestone rocks, grasslands and quarries. One of its most distinctive features is the markedly curved sporophyte stalk (seta) which bears egg-shaped capsules. It is quite scarce in Britain and found mostly in calcareous habitats in southern England. It is rare in Wales and extremely rare in south Wales. In West Galmorgan it is only found on the limestone cliffs of south Gower. Sporophyte capsules are usually abundant in autumn and spring.