Zygodon conoideus Lesser Yoke-moss

An Oceanic, dioicous, acrocarpous moss which grows as an epiphyte on a wide variety of trees in humid forests. It is more lax in its growth form than other Zygodon species and it produces abundant sporophyte capsules on long stalks. The gemmae which are present among the leaves are much longer than broad and have 6 or 7 transverse septa (see photo). In the past it was regarded as a rare species but it has undergone a spectacular range expansion in Britain in recent decades, particularly in the west and north. Roy Perry decribed it as rare but probably under recorded in Flora of Glamorgan. It is now the most commonly encountered Zygodon on shaded willows in humid sites in Sitka Spruce plantations in south Wales, sometimes growing with Daltonia splachnoides and Colura calyptrifolia. As such it is a good indicator of hyperoceanic conditions. Its dramatic increase might be explained by improved air quality, particularly the reduced levels of sulphur dioxide, but also by climate change and the increasing trend towards milder and wetter winters. It is widespread in West Glamorgan and particularly common in the conifer plantations of Neath Port Talbot.