Flamingo-moss

Tortula cernua

Tortula cernua, also known as narrowleaf screw moss and flamingo moss, is a widely-distributed species of moss in the family Pottiaceae. First described in 1833, it is characterised by elliptical leaves with distinctive bordered margins and spore capsules that bend downward at an angle. The species exhibits an unusual reproductive strategy involving springtails that may assist in fertilisation by transferring sperm between plants. While found across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, it is considered rare in many areas, including Britain where it is classified as endangered. It grows primarily on calcareous substrates, particularly on lime-rich waste from historical industrial sites, and requires specific chemical and environmental conditions to grow, making it vulnerable to habitat loss.

Scientific name

Tortula cernua

Family

Pottiaceae