Silky Forklet-moss - Dicranella heteromalla

Forms dense, yellow-green to mid-green cushions or patches up to 3 cm deep, but often smaller. Leaves are more or less curved, 3 to 3.5 mm long, pointing in one direction when moist, and hardly altered when dry. The leaf base is egg-shaped and tapers to a long, fine, channelled point which is toothed, especially near the tip. The nerve is about 30% of the width of the leaf base, occupies most of the tip and is often excurrent. Capsules are common, horizontal or inclined, elliptical in shape and not swollen at the base. The yellow seta becomes browner with age.

Needs a good quality photograph.

Found in a variety of acidic habitats and frequent on woodland banks, tree stumps, tree roots, hedge banks etc.

All year round.

Widespread and common throughout Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.