Myurium hochstetteri

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Identification notes

This could be one of the shortest ‘Species Finder’ articles on the BBS website because, should you encounter it, you will immediately recognize this moss. Leafing through the BBS Field Guide on those dark winter evenings, you will have seen photographs of this glorious plant – large (3-4mm), glossy, concave, golden leaves each narrowed into a cheeky hair-like point, the erect branches juicy-looking and plumptious (Is there such a word? If not, there should be, in order to describe this fine species). The living plant does not disappoint – truly one of the loveliest in the British Flora. It’s not all about blowsy orchids, you know.

To find it, you will need to look on rocks and banks hard by the sea, in the very north and west of Scotland. It is worth the trip.

Nothing remains to be said.

Read the Field Guide account

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014