English name: Clay earth-moss
An acrocarpous moss that forms mid to dark loose mats that consist of more or less prostrate shoots with widely spaced leaves. On infertile shoots, the leaves do not increase in size towards the top of the shoots. On fertile shoots, however, the leaves are crowded and much larger leaves surround the hidden, spherical capsule.
Capsules mature from spring to autumn
In Scotland, Archidium alternifolium has a scattered distribution and in open, non-acidic habitats where the ground is kept bare by intermittent submergence and disturbed by vehicles, trampling or sea spray such as by lakes and reservoirs, on tracks and ditch sides, and in quarries. BBS distribution map
Look out for Scapania irrigua and Bryum pallens nearby.
scottishlichens.co.uk 