Sciuro-hypnum plumosum Rusty Feather-moss

An autoicous pleurocarpous moss which grows on rocks, boulders and the bases of trees, sometimes submerged, along fast fowing rivers and streams. It forms large prostrate mats of glossy green shoots which often have distinctive golden-green tips and concave leaves that curve to one side. Like similar Brachythecium species the capsule stalks are roughened, particularly towards the tip. It is a common species in western and northern Britain, but conspicuously absent from much of southern and eastern England. It is found throughout Wales and it is widespread and often abundant along rivers and streams in West Glamorgan. Sporophyte capsules are frequent in winter.