Ulota bruchii Bruch's Pincushion

An autoicous, epiphytic, acrocarpous  moss which is found commonly on trees such as willows, hazel, elder and others. Without sporophyte capsules it is virtually impossible to differentiate it from other Ulota species. Like Ulota crispa the clayptra on the young capsules is very hairy with conspicuous long hairs, but unlike that species, the mature capsules are not narrowed below the mouth but taper slightly towards it. Under the microscope, the rectangular cells of the capsule ribs, which are almost square in shape, can be seen to extend to the capsule mouth, whereas with Ulota crispa there are 1-4 rows of cells that are wider than long (looking somewhat flattened) between the mouth and the ribs. While confusion with Ulota crispa is a problem, Ulota bruchii is almost certainly the most common species of Ulota in Britain and is undoubtedly widespread throughout the country. It is more or less uniquitous in Wales and only absent from upland areas where there are few or no trees. It is widespread and abundant in West Glamorgan and one of our most common epiphytes. Sporophyte capsules are very common from autumn onwards.