Identification notes
Much the commonest Dicranum, and one that can be found in a surprisingly wide range of habitats. Its robust tufts of yellow-green shoots with leaves (usually) curved to one side are normally easy to recognise although straight-leaved forms may have to be inspected closely to separate from lookalikes such as Campylopus flexuosus. No Dicranum has the very broad nerve of that species or its relatives.
An absolute confirmation of identify can also be made by cutting a transverse upper leaf section with a sharp razor blade. This should show 3 to 4 low ridges projecting from the back of the nerve – which are lacking in D. bonjeanii, the species it’s most likely to be confused with (in grassland).
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