Rhodobryum roseum Rose-moss

A dioicous, stoloniferous acrocarpous moss which grows in grassland, especially base-rich grasslands on chalk or limestone and also in fixed-dune graslands. It also grows occasionally in open woodland and on wooded banks that are not too shaded. The distinctive rosette of large leaves, which have recurved, unbordered margins with fine teeth that arise from the wiry stolons, is almost unmistakable. Nevertheless it sometimes requires diligent searching to find it in its grassland habitats and that can be quite difficult when plants are dry. This species has undergone a decline in Britain due to agricultural improvements, eutrophication and lack of adequate grazing. It is uncommon in Britain with a widspread scattered distribution and it is rather local in Wales where its distribution is mostly, but not exclusively, coastal. In West Glamorgan it is confined to Gower where it grows in short, limestone grassland. Sporophyte capsules are rare and colonies spread via underground stolons.