English name: Sand-hill screw-moss
An acrocarpous moss with yellowish green to golden brown shoots that are often partly buried in sand. When moist, the leaves curve strongly away from the stem, when dry, they curl and twist. Leaves gradually taper to a tip which has a long, toothed, silvery hair point.
In Scotland, Syntrichia ruraliformis is widespread in coastal dunes, on sandy banks and cliffs, and in sandy roadsides and heaths. BBS distribution map
Look out for Brachythecium albicans, Homalothecium lutescens and Hypnum lacunosum nearby.
Confusion species: Syntrichia intermedia, Syntrichia ruralis and Tortula muralis
scottishlichens.co.uk 