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Polytrichastrum formosum
A medium-sized plant with erect, unbranched, scattered shoots in loose tufts, 5–10 cm tall, and leaves 1 cm long or slightly more. The bright, dark green, straight leaves hug the stem, becoming wavy and duller when dry. The spreading, narrow, triangular limb extends from a matt, colourless sheathing base. Narrow, colourless margins are distinctly toothed, and become inrolled to protect the up to 70 ridges of tissue on the upper surface of the nerve as the leaf dries out.
Typical of deciduous woodlands in the lowlands, on soils from strongly acidic to nearly neutral, but most frequent where mildly acidic. Also occurs in upland woodlands on leached soils and well-drained moorlands. It can be found on lowland heaths, avoiding the wettest areas favoured by Polytrichum commune and the drier, more exposed substrates of P. piliferum and P. juniperinum. It occasionally grows in block scree.
Can be confused with stunted plants of the usually taller Polytrichum commune this favours wetter, less well-drained, boggy environments. When fruiting, P. commune can be told by its more cubic.
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