English name: Common feather-moss
A pleurocarpous moss with regularly branched shoots that are arranged triangularly. Stem leaves are heart-shaped with a fine, elongated tip which often turns outwards. The base of the stem leaf clasps down around the stem. At the shoot tip, the leaves are crowded and spread outwards, making it appear star-shaped when seen from above. Capsules have a beaked lid.
Capsules mature in winter.
In Scotland, Kindbergia praelonga is widespread in woodland, hedges, roadside banks, grassland, lawns and waste ground. BBS distribution map
Look out for Calliergonella cuspidata and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus nearby.
Confusion species: Oxyrrhynchium hians and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
scottishlichens.co.uk 