Identification notes
Like the majority of Weissia species, this one cannot be identified with confidence without examination of mature capsules, so there is a relatively narrow window of opportunity to find this plant, in late winter going into spring.
Look for relatively small plants (often a bit smaller than W. controversa) with small-mouthed capsules on long setae. Close examination of the capsule mouth will reveal no peristome (not even a rudimentary one) and the mouth of the capsule will look closed from above (this is a membrane, which rapidly breaks down in older capsules, so be careful).
Species varieties
Its two varieties typically grow in very different habitats:
- Weissia brachycarpa var. brachycarpa: ant-hills, arable fields and other damp acidic soil.
- Weissia brachycarpa var. obliqua: short-grazed species-rich dry calcareous grassland.
