Racomitrium heterostichum Bristly Fringe-moss

A dioicous, acrocarpous moss which grows on siliceous or igneous rock in scree, on exposed boulders on moorland and on dry stone walls in the uplands. Plants with long hairpoints are quite distinctive and collectively give a distinctive grey-green appearance to colonies. Plants with short hair can be confused with the much more uncommon Racomitrium affine and Racomitrium sudeticum. Occasionally colonies are found to contain plants without hairpoints and might be confused with Racomitrium fasciculare, although that species has distinctive bunches of short branches. It is a Suboceanic species with a western and northern distribution in Britain and it is widespread in the uplands of Wales. It is occasional in uplands of West Glamorgan, less common than Racomitrium fasciculare and largely confined to higher ground in South Wales Coalfield. Sporophyte capsules are occasional in spring.