English name: Nodding Thread-moss
An acrocarpous moss with shoots that are dull, dark green, and spearhead-shaped leaves that are crowded towards the top of the shoot. The upper part of the stem is reddish, the lower part features brown rhizoids. Short-leaves branches can often be seen above the cushions. Pendulous capsules are held on a long seta.
Capsules mature in late spring and summer.
In Scotland, Pohlia nutans is widespread on acidic, peaty, sandy or gravelly soils on heath and moors, in acidic grassland, bogs, woodlands, sand dunes, and among rocks and boulders. BBS distribution map
Look out for Diplophyllum albicans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus and Hypnum jutlandicum nearby.
scottishlichens.co.uk 