Pohlia elongata var. elongata Sharp-leaved Thread-moss

A monoicous, acrocarpous moss which is largely a species of upland and mountain habitats on rock ledges, crevices in rocks, boulders and in scree. Its most distinctive feature is its capsules which are long and norrowly pear-shaped (see photo). Without capsules it resembles Pohlia nutans which has broader leaves and grows on peaty soils on heaths and moors. Pohlia elongata is a montane species which has a western and northern distribution in Britain and a distictly upland distribution in Wales. It is scarce in West Glamorgan and usually found in upland rocky habitats in the South Wales Coalfield. Sporophyte capsules are frequent in spring and autumn.