Bryophytes » Bartramiaceae » Philonotis capillaris Arnell's Apple-moss

Philonotis capillaris Arnell's Apple-moss

Lindb.

A slender, dioicous, acrocarpous moss of soils, ledges and outcrops that are moist and occasionally wetted, e.g near rivers and streams. It is smaller than the other apple-mosses with much smaller leaves, but confusion with stunted Philonotis fontana is possible. For safe identification microscopic examination of leaf cells for the occurrence and distribution of protruberances (mamillae) is necessary. It has a scattered western and northern distribution in Britain and it is occasional in Wales, mostly in upland habitats. It is rare in West Glamorgan with just one collection by BS from Rhossili Down in 2019. Sporophyte capsules are very rare

This species is also known as Philonotis arnellii.

Philonotis capillaris - © Barry Stewart
Philonotis capillaris - © Barry Stewart

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