English name: Crisped pincushion
An acrocarpous moss that forms small, yellowish green cushions that consist of stems that are blackish-brown lower down. Leaves are spearhead-shaped and become strongly crisped when dry. Mature capsules are brown and longitudinal furrowed and narrow just below the mouth.
Capsules mature in summer and autumn.
In Scotland, Ulota crispa is widespread in wet woodland with sallows, but is also found on many other trees and shrubs, including ash, hazel, oak and sycamore. BBS distribution map
Look out for Frullania dilitata, Metzgeria fruticulosa and Metzgeria furcata nearby.
Confusion species: any other epiphytic Orthotrichum or Ulota species, including Orthotrichum affine, Orthotrichum pulchellum, Ulota bruchii and Ulota drummondii
scottishlichens.co.uk 