Revised name: Syntrichia montana
English name: Intermediate screw-moss
An acrocarpous moss with dull or golden green leaves that grows in tufts or loose cushions. The leaf is slightly narrowed at the halfway point and the lower half has recurved margins. When moist, the leaves spread out widely, when dry, leaves fold up along their length, making them appear tapered at the tip. The reddish-brown nerve is extends into a long, silvery white hairpoint. The red-brown, cylindrical capsules are held upright.
Capsules mature in spring and summer.
In Scotland, Syntrichia intermedia has a scattered, mainly lowland distribution where it is found on calcareous rocks and walls, and sunny, exposed stony ground. BBS distribution map
Look out for Fissidens dubius, Homalothecium sericeum, Porella platyphylla and Tortella tortuosa nearby.
Confusion species: Syntrichia papillosa, Syntrichia ruraliformis, Syntrichia ruralis and Tortula muralis
scottishlichens.co.uk 