Bryophytes » Amblystegiaceae » Serpoleskea confervoides Tiny Feather-moss

Serpoleskea confervoides Tiny Feather-moss

(Brid.) Loeske

A rather rare, autoicous, calcicole pleurocarpous moss which grows on calcareous rocks in shaded sites such as woodland and limestone outcrops on hillsides. The easily overlooked plants are very slender appearing like wiry threads with tiny leaves that are only about 0.25mm long. It has a scattered southern and western distribution in Britain with an handful of sites in south and north Wales. It is extremely rare in West Glamorgan where it was recorded new for Glamorgan (VC41) on limestone rock in Nicholaston Wood by BS in 2020. Sporophytes with strongly curved capsules are frequent in summer.

This species was formerly known as Amblystegium confervoides.

Serpoleskea confervoides - © Barry Stewart
Serpoleskea confervoides - © Barry Stewart

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