English name: Little shaggy-moss
A distinctive pleurocarpous moss with spreading, irregularly pinnate, red stems. The sometimes pleated leaves are broadly spreading and are curved in one direction. They have a broad oval base, narrow to a long, tapering tip, and the margins may be toothed.
Capsules mature during winter and spring.
In Scotland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus is widespread in acidic woodlands in upland districts, and on heathy slopes and acidic grassland in the west. BBS distribution map
Look out for Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi nearby.
scottishlichens.co.uk 