Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Schimp., 1851

Common names

🇬🇧 Silky Wall Feather-moss
🇫🇷 Homalothécie soyeuse

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Setaphytes
Clade: Bryophytes
Class: Bryopsida
Subclass: Bryidae
Order: Hypnales
Family: Brachytheciaceae
Genus: Homalothecium
Species: Homalothecium sericeum

Presence

Present.

Conservation status

Red List (Europe): LC Least Concern

Notes

Possible confusion with H. lutescens (Hedw.) H.Rob., 1962, which has shorter (1.5-2 mm), slightly curved capsules, while H. sericeum has longer (2-3 mm), straight capsules. In the absence of capsules, it is also possible to check dry branches if present. Dry branches of H. lutescens remain straight, while those H. sericeum curl up.

Possible confusion with Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw.) Schwägr., 1816, which has a matte appearance and unbranched shoots, or with densely packed, short branches at the tip, while H. sericeum has a glossy appearance and branched shoots. H. sericeum is also more common.

Found on the base of trees in woodland.

Photographs

img/homalothecium-sericeum.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum*

img/homalothecium-sericeum-2.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum*

img/homalothecium-sericeum-3.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum* - Capsule

img/homalothecium-sericeum-4.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum* - Dry branches

img/homalothecium-sericeum-5.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum* - Leaf

img/homalothecium-sericeum-6.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum* - Leaf tip

img/homalothecium-sericeum-7.webp — *Homalothecium sericeum* - Leaf margin

Sources

Atherton, I., Bosanquet, S., & Lawley, M. (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a field guide (p. 738). British Bryological Society.
Sabovljevic, M. (2019). Homalothecium sericeum (Europe assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/87576326/87778117