English name: Strict haircap
An acrocarpous moss that forms tight hummocks of grey-green, upright shoots that bear short and evenly spaced, narrow leaves that have a reddish brown tip and inrolled margins. When moist, the leaves are held away from the stem, when dry, they are adpressed. Lower down, the stem is matted with an off-white felt of rhizoids. The four-angled capsules are held on a reddish seta.
In Scotland, Polytrichum strictum is widespread in upland areas where it is found on deep peat deposits such as in raised mires, blanket bogs and very wet heaths. BBS distribution map
Look out for Campylopus introflexus, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum papillosum nearby.
Confusion species: Polytrichastrum formosum and Polytrichum commune var. commune
scottishlichens.co.uk 