Polytrichum strictum Strict Haircap

A dioicous, acrocarpous moss which is found in sphagnum bogs where it forms dense hummocks. It grows up to 40cm tall with shoots matted together with pale rhizoids, almost like felt. The leaves are untoothed with inrolled margins, much like Poytrichum juniperinum, but it is much taller than that species. Polytrichum commune differs in having longer, toothed leaves. It is a Boreo-arctic montane species which has a northern distribution in Britain but it is widespread in much upland Wales. However, it is uncommon or absent from much of south Wales and there are few records of it from West Glamorgan, e.g. Gors Llwyn. Sporophyte capsules are occasional.