English name: Marble screw-moss
An acrocarpous moss that forms small, dark green patches amongst other mosses. When moist, the broadly oval leaves spread to reveal small, round gemmae. The leaves have an excurrent nerve.
In Scotland, Syntrichia papillosa has a mainly scattered eastern distribution where it grows on mature trees such as ash, elm, sycamore and willow, especially those in urban areas. BBS distribution map
Look out for Frullania dilatata and Metzgeria furcata nearby.
scottishlichens.co.uk 