Identification notes
This is a rare species in Britain and Ireland which even at its few known localities on sunny rocks at the edge of the River Usk is unlikely to be found without deliberate searching and should not be collected. In the Mediterranean, however, it is not uncommon beside watercourses, both natural and manmade, forming dense tufts.
The very strong nerve extending to the apex is clearly seen with a hand lens. The plant is related to Bryum alpinum but is characterised by the presence of large (often > 0.5mm) bulbils in the upper leaf axils, and it lacks the glossy metallic reddish sheen of that species. B. dichotomum is very variable but is generally a smaller plant with usually multiple bulbils in each axil, a weaker nerve and more concave leaves.
