Tortula lindbergii Lance-leaved Pottia

A small, pioneer, autoicous, acrocarpous moss which colonises calcareous soils on limestone. It is similar to Tortula caucasica (Tortula modica) but it is smaller and its capsules are a dark brown colour and quite distinctive (see photo). It has a scattered distribution in southern Britain but it is very uncommon in Wales. The limestone cliffs of south Gower provide an important refuge for this species which has declined in many parts of southern and eastern Britain. Sporophyte capsules are abundant early in the year.

This species is also known as Pottia lanceolata and Tortula lanceola.