English name: Cylindric beard-moss
An acrocarpous moss that forms patches or loose tufts that are olive-green and often brownish below. The narrow leaves have a long, tapering tip and curve to the side, giving shoots a spiralled appearance if seen from above. When dry, the leaves curl up and twist.
In Scotland, Didymodon insulanus is widespread in lowland and coastal areas where it is found on riverbanks and manmade substrata, including rock, stone, asphalt and wood. BBS distribution map
Look out for Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum, Orthotrichum diaphanum and Tortula subulata nearby.
Confusion species: Barbula convoluta, Didymodon fallax and Didymodon rigidulus
scottishlichens.co.uk 