Zygodon gracilis

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Identification notes

This is a very rare moss that it restricted to drystone walls made of limestone, and occasionally natural limestone outcrops. It grows in deep cushions up to 6 cm tall, so it is much taller than our other species. The leaves spring back to a spreading position when dry shoots are moistened, like other Zygodon species, but the jagged teeth near the apex are unique amongst this genus and are easily visible with a hand lens. Dichodontium has similar teeth but is usually found in moist places.

The plant is dioicous and most colonies consist of clones of one sex, so capsules are particularly uncommon.

Read the Field Guide account

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

Restricted to the Yorkshire dales

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014