Orthothecium intricatum

HomeLearningSpecies FinderOrthothecium intricatum

Identification notes

Habitat is one of the best pointers for identification of this rather uncommon pleurocarp. Its glossy, quite slender stems creep about in dark, damp, sheltered base-rich rocky places and on first sight may look like Hypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum (a species of well-lit habitats). Look closely, though and you’ll usually spot pale pink to red colours in the shoots, another important point of difference from Hypnum spp. It also has unusual purple rhizoids, which you should be able to confirm if you winkle a small shoot out of its crevice.

Read the Field Guide account

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014

Similar Species