Plagiothecium nemorale Woodsy Silk-moss

A dioicous, pleurocarpous moss which grows on tree bases, decaying logs and banks in deciduous woodland often with species such as Dicranella heteromalla and Mnium hornum. It is very similar to Plagiothecium succulentum, which grows in similar places, and is often difficult to separate from it in the field. However, Plagiothecium nemorale is usually a darker and duller (less glossy) green colour, but safe identification requires examination and measurements of leaf cells which are shorter (4-6 times longer than wide) and arranged in tranverse rows (not overlapping). Furthermore there is some variation in the characaters of Plagiothecium nemorale, including cell size, and several previously named species have been synonymised with this taxon. It is common throughout much of southern Britain, Wales and along the west coast of Scotland and it is scattered and widesprerad in West Glamorgan. Sporophyte capsules occur occasionally in summer and autumn.

The taxon Plagiothecium longisetum, previously synonymised with Plagiothecium nemorale, has been recognised recently as a separate, distinct species. This is supported by molecular analysis and differences in morphological features e.g. the dimensions of their cells. Plagiothecium longisetum is not included in the Census Catalogue of British and Irish Bryophytes (2021) and it excat status in West Glamorgan is still uncertain but Tom Ottley has confirmed the identification of a specimen from .....