Identification notes
This is much the commonest of the ephemeral mosses with immersed, cleistocarpous capsules i.e. they do not dehisce via a lid, but disintegrate when spores are mature. The nominate variety acaulon prefers enriched as well as disturbed ground and can usually be found in intensively managed arable land and in garden borders with the likes of Bryum rubens, Barbula unguiculata and Tortula truncata.
Of the three varieties currently recognised, only T. acaulon var. pilifera can be confidently named in the field – its very long, white hairpoints are striking. It’s usually – but not always – found near the sea, so is likely to be temperature-sensitive.
Read the Field Guide account
