Pleurozium schreberi Red-stemmed Feather-moss

A dioicous, pleurocarpous moss of base-poor habitats and an almost ubiquitous component of moorland and heathland vegertation in western and northern Britain. It is often found in dwarf shrub heath communities with Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) where it forms large, dominant patches made up of red-stemmed, loosely pinnate shoots which are quite conspicuous. It is a widspread circumboreal species extending as far as the high Arctic and it is one of the most abundant species in boreal ecosystems. In terms of biomass it is probably one of the most important bryophytes in the northern hemisphere. It is found throughout Wales, particularly in the uplands and it is common in the South Wales Coalfield in Glamorgan, particularly in upland Neath Port Talbot. Although less common in Gower it is found in the drier heathland of the Gower Commons. Most populations are female so sporophyte capsules are rare.