Identification notes

This is one of those species where habitat can help with initial sifting through identification options. It’s quite common on soil/mud in sheltered maritime situations that would be too saline for the majority of lookalike species, such as Tortula spp. Although bryologists rarely survey along busy major roads, it can also sometimes be found where winter road salt is regularly applied.

It’s really quite distinctive when capsules are present – the seta looks disproportionately long for the size of the gametophyte and, like the capsule is usually coloured a rich chestnut brown (young ones may be green). If capsules are absent, its leaves will be seen to have large apical teeth indicative of Hennediella species but not Tortula.

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland