Bryophytes » Amblystegiaceae » Palustriella commutata Curled Hook-moss

Palustriella commutata Curled Hook-moss

(Hedw.) Ochyra

 A dioicous, pleurocarpous moss of base-rich flushes, springs and wet cliffs. It is a brownish-green or yellowish-green hook moss which often grows in extensive, wet mats. The pinnate, feathery branching of the shoots, which are clothed in red-brown rhizoids, have a distinctive appearance. The branch leaves are strongly curved. It can be confused with Palustriella falcata which doesn't show such regular branching and doesn't look so symmetrical and neat. It is largely a northern species in Britain but it is found throughout most of Wales, although it less common in the west. It is scattered throughout West Galmorgan in suitable places and it can be locally abundant in base-rich flushes in the coalfield. Sporophyte capsules are occasional.

Palustriella commutata - © Barry Stewart
Palustriella commutata - © Barry Stewart

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