Description: P. muscicola is a sparingly branched, brown-black, shrubby-filamentous species of moist, mossy, siliceous rocks and boulders. It develops small, compact cushions that can spread out across the rock given suitable conditions. It should never be confused with Ephebe lanata which differs entirely in colour and structure. The species is rare in Ireland and is mainly associated with upland areas. There are few recent records.

Key Identification Features:

• Shrubby-filamentous species forming tight, dark brown cushions on mossy rocks by acid streams rarely more than 1cm across
• Upland streams on siliceous rocks.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Polychidium muscicola at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Polychidium muscicola at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.