Syntrichia montana Intermediate Screw-moss

A dioicous, acrocarpous moss which grows on calcareous rocks, frequently on limestone, on roofs, walls and concrete paths. It is somewhat like a small verion of Syntrichia ruralis but the leaves usually have a distinctive narrowing (or waist) in the middle and they do not become as reflexed as those of Syntrichia ruralis. However it is sometimes difficult to separate the two species unambiguously. It is a widespread and common species in southern Britain, including much of lowland Wales, but it becomes more scarce in the north. It is fairly common in lowland areas of West Glamorgan. Sporophyte capsules are occasional in spring.