English name: Straw bristle-moss
An acrocarpous moss that forms small, but neat and rounded cushions with abundant and relatively large capsules that sit just below the level of the leaves. The calyptra has a very pale, dull yellowish calyptra with a contrasting red-brown tip.
Capsules mature in early summer.
In Scotland, Orthotrichum stramineum has a mainly eastern distribution where it is particularly found on vertical and sloping trunks and branches of trees, and ash, elder and sycamore in particular. It sometimes persists on fallen trunks in the early stages of decay. It is particularly frequent in sheltered and humid sites like wooded valleys and open ravines in upland areas. BBS distribution map
Look out for Amblystegium serpens, Bryum capillare, Orthotrichum affine and Ulota bruchii nearby.
Confusion species: any other epiphytic Orthotrichum and Ulota species, including Orthotrichum affine, Orthotrichum pulchellum, Ulota bruchii and Ulota drummondii.
scottishlichens.co.uk 