Polytrichastrum alpinum Alpine Haircap

A dioicous, acrocarpous moss of montane habitats, particularly on rocky slopes, cliffs and in scree but also in peaty soils on heathy slopes and on moorland. It is a medium sized haircap which is most likely to be confused with Polytrichum formosum but it is usually more branched than that species and its capsules are more rounded. It is a Boreo arctic-montane calcifuge with a distinctly upland, western and northern distribution in Britain and is found throughout upland Wales in suitable habitats. It is uncommon in West Glamorgan with few records but a reasonable population occurs at Craig y Llyn. Sporophyte capsules are occasional.