Orthotrichum pulchellum

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Identification notes

This small epiphyte does not look like a typical member of the Orthotrichaceae such as Lewinskya affinis. Firstly, the dry leaves are curled and twisted, unlike those of L. affinis which remain more or less straight on drying. Secondly, the capsule is held above the perichaetial leaves, not surrounded by them. When ripe and dry, the capsule has a striking orange-red outer peristome of 8 reflexed teeth. Lastly, the almost hairless calyptra, which is roughly conical in shape, has a series of dark smudges around the base. This moss has increased in abundance considerably in recent years, and is commonly found in any epiphyte survey, having previously been quite a rarity.

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Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014

Resources you may find useful

The Bryophyte identification page under Resources contains additional resources on the genus Orthotrichum.

Bryophyte identification resources

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