English name: Fountain apple-moss
An acrocarpous moss with yellowish or glaucous green upright shoots, red stems and red-brown rhizoids that cover the lower part of the stem. The short, triangular leaves have recurved margins. The shoot tip of male plants have red-brown ‘flowers’ that are surrounded by leaves with a roundish tip. Spherical capsules are held horizontally on an orange or red seta.
Capsules mature in summer.
In Scotland, Philonotis fontana is widespread in upland areas in damp habitats such as marshes, flushes and streams, and in ruderal habitats such as quarries, woodland rides and damp tracks. BBS distribution map
Look out for Brachythecium rivulare, Calliergonella cuspidata, Dichodontium palustre and Scapania undulata nearby.
Confusion species: Aulacomnium palustre
scottishlichens.co.uk 