Pleuridium acuminatum Taper-leaved Earth-moss

A short, paroicous acrocarpous moss which grows on acidic clay or peat banks. It is very similar to Pleuridium subulatum and difficult to separate from it, but it tends to grow on more acidic substrates and has its naked male structures (antheridia) positioned in the axils of the leaves. Both are pioneer species, but Pleuridium acuminatum appears to be the more common in Wales, in lowland and upland habitats. It is occasional in West Glamorgan. Sporophyte capsules are usually abundant in spring and summer and held on very short stalks buried in among the bases of the spearhed-shaped leaves.