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Small Capsule Dung Moss (Splachnum ampullaceum)

Description

This is a scarce, but locally abundant lowland species of Splachnum, which forms dense patches of closely packed shoots 1-3 cm tall, with toothed (often strongly toothed) leaves 3-5 mm long. Capsules are common and unmistakable, with a swollen and expanded neck much wider than the rest of the capsule. This probably acts as a platform for flies that disperse the spores. The deep red seta is slightly wavy.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Bryophyta

        • Class: Bryopsida

          • Order: Funariales

            • Family: Splachnaceae

              • Genus: Splachnum