Thickpoint Grimmia Schistidium crassipilum




Scientific Name: Schistidium crassipilum (Grimmiaceae).

English Name: Thickpoint Grimmia (a Grimiales moss).

French Name: None.



5 Key Characters:
  • spore capsule long and narrow, surrounded by leaves.
  • makes rounded cushions or flat patches. 
  • each leaf has a hair point, giving the moss a silvery frosted look.
  • the hair points are straight, with a flattened base.
  • edges of upper leaves very slightly toothed.

Lookalikes: Several other mosses eg Grey-Cushioned Grimmia Grimmia pulvinata or Wall Screw-moss Tortula muralis, both of which have capsules on longer 'stems' (seta), not hidden by leaves.


Habitat: Generally manmade structures, mainly limestone walls but sometimes tarmac pavements. Sometimes natural limestone or sandstone.


Status: Rare in the Touraine.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Picture taken in Ste Maure -- I should have taken the time to go and take more pics on Sunday :-) It's the only picture I took and the only one anyone seems to have in the Bot Club. Dunno why.

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