Bird's-claw Beard-moss - Barbula unguiculata

Description

This species grows in distinctive, bright yellow-green turfs up to 1.5 cm tall. The leaves are usually 1.5 to 2 mm long, and spread away from the stem when moist, but take on a tight spiral twist when dry, making the yellow nerve very conspicuous. Each leaf is parallel-sided for most of its length with a rounded tip from which the nerve protrudes.

Similar Species

Barbula convoluta and Barbula sardoa.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

This is a plant of neutral or base-rich, disturbed and open habitats such as the edges of paths, gardens, fields and old walls.

When to see it

All year round.

UK Status

It is common throughout Britain and Ireland.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Bird's-claw Beard-moss
Species group:
Mosses & Liverworts
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Dicranales
Family:
Pottiaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
18
First record:
10/11/1991 (Dennis Ballard)
Last record:
21/02/2022 (Cooper, Barbara)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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