Broom Fork-moss - Dicranum scoparium

This moss can reach up to 10 cm in height and forms yellow green or dark green cushions or large patches.  The leaves are 4 to 7.5 mm long, narrowly spearhead-shaped and taper to a long fine tip composed largely of the strong nerve. They are often somewhat curved, but can also be straight and are hardly altered when dry. The leaf margins are usually strongly toothed near the tip. The back of the nerve has raised lines of cells which are just visible with a hand lens. These are also toothed, making the tip of the leaf appear toothed all round. D. scoparium occasionally produces deciduous shoots with smaller leaves at the tip of the stems. The curved, cylindrical capsule is common in the north and west of Britain, and is borne on a long seta that is yellow above and reddish below.

On the ground in woodland, but also on trees and logs, acid rocks etc.

All year round.

Widespread and frequent in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.