Identification notes
If you’ve ever pondered over the most useful morphological differences between this species and the similar-looking Plagiomnium group, then wonder no more.
Its shoots come in two forms – sterile and fertile. The sterile shoots of Plagiomnium lie flat or low to the ground (procumbent or arcuate) and look somewhat flattened (complanate). Stem leaves are toothed. Sterile shoots of Rhizomnium are erect, and stem leaves are entire. In both genera the fertile shoots are erect.
Plants are dioicous and, like Mnium hornum, to which it is closely related, the male plants of R. punctatum are particularly striking and resemble small flowers (see images below).
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