Sand-hill Screw-moss - Syntrichia ruraliformis
The leaf margin is strongly recurved to the apex and the margin tapers towards the apex, giving the shoots a stellate appearance when viewed from above. The leaves themselves are recurved and tend to be concave.
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features, then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.
It is particularly characteristic of sand dunes, especially calcareous ones, but it can also be very abundant inland on sandy soils and stony, dry places such as airfields.
All year round.
Widespread, though often coastal in Britain.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Sand-hill Screw-moss
- Species group:
- Mosses & Liverworts
- Kingdom:
- Plantae
- Order:
- Dicranales
- Family:
- Pottiaceae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 2
- First record:
- 20/03/2023 (Nicholls, David)
- Last record:
- 14/02/2024 (axon, kaye)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.