Identification notes
In many areas, this moss is much less common species than some floras suggest, and it is possible that it has declined in response to much lower levels of acid deposition via rainfall. It is of similar size and growth form to P. succulentum and P. nemorale and care needs to be taken to separate them. Habitat and substrate can be useful pointers, as P. denticulatum likes organic, damp substrates more than its close relatives.
Examination of leaf shape and form of the decurrent leaf bases is important in reaching a confident identification. However, Plagiothecium leaf bases are fragile and usually break off and get left on the stems when leaves are removed with forceps. It can therefore be very helpful to examine portions of stem that have been treated like this microscopically so leaf bases can be seen in situ.
Species varieties
- Plagiothecium denticulatum var. denticulatum
- Plagiothecium denticulatum var. obtusifolium
