Serpoleskea confervoides
Common Name: Tiny Feathermoss, Conservation Status - Least Concern (Schnyder, 2019)
As evidenced by the large number of past names it has been known by, Serpoleskea confervoides has undergone several taxonomic revisions since it was first described. In the past it has been known as Platydictya and Amblyotegiella confervoides, and is still commonly referred to as Amblystegium confervoides in more recent literature.
Appearance and Identification
This species can sometimes be tricky to spot as it is fairly small, shoots are just 20mm long, and it often grows in the shade of other mosses (Hill, et al., 2017; Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014). S. confervoides is a pleurocarpous moss, meaning it grows in a rough mats of mid to dark green shoots, which mostly creep along the ground but may occasionally poke up perpendicular to the substrate.
The shoots themselves appear very fine, and hair-like due to the tiny quarter of a mm long leaves which are irregularly branched, and when dry lie tightly pressed against the shoots. Although, when wet the moss gains a more feathery appearance as the leaves become more upright, and sometimes even slightly curved (Blockeel, 2010; Hill et al., 2017; Smith & Smith, 2004). If viewed under a microscope you will see leaves which are "broadly spearhead-shaped" (Blockeel, 2010), ending in a finely tapered point, with no nerve and generally smooth leaf margins, although they may occasionally be finely toothed (Blockeel, 2010; Smith & Smith, 2004).
S. confervoides is autoicous (Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014), meaning that male and female organs will grow on the same plant but on different branches. It produces an abundance of capsules, which usually grow horizontally, and are about 1mm long and curved (Blockeel, 2010; Smith & Smith, 2004).
Similar Species:
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Amblystegium serpens - Shoots can grow slightly longer than those of S. confervoides, up to 30mm, but the main visual differences is the presence of a short nerve in the leaves of A. serpens. However, this can only be seen under a microscope so it is usually easier to distinguish based on substrate and habitat (Blockeel, 2010; Hill et al., 2017). S. confervoides only grows on hard rock in either deciduous woodland or on inland cliffs and rocky outcrops, whereas A. serpens can be found in a wide range of environments (Hill et al., 2017). It is also much more common and widespread than S. confervoides (Blockeel, 2014; Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014), and therefore, you are much more likely to encounter it in the UK.
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Conardia compacta - Has a long nerve on its leaves which can be seen under a hand lens, and unlike S. confervoides it does not produce sporophytes (capsules) in the UK and Ireland (Blockeel, 2010; Hill et al., 2017). It also grows in somewhat different habitats than S. confervoides, requiring deep shade, and not being found in broadleaf, deciduous forest (Hill et al., 2017).
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Habrodon perpusillus - Has much shorter shoots (just 5mm), but much larger, more appressed leaves which give the moss an almost furry look, its common name is actually the Lesser Squirrel Tail Moss (Hill et al., 2017; Preston, 2010). H. perpusillus is also an exclusively epiphytic species, meaning it only grows on living wood, while S. confervoides can only be found on hard, rocky substrates (Hill et al., 2017).
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Heterocladium flaccidum -The main difference between these species is leaf shape, the leaf tips of H. flaccidum do not taper and instead end in a short, acute point. During the summer they may also be distinguished based on the presence or absence of capsules, H. flaccidum does not produce capsules while S. confervoides does (Blockeel, 2010; Smith & Smith, 2004). H. flaccidum, can also be found above 290m elevation, which S. confervoides cannot (Hill et al., 2017).
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Platydicta jungermannioides - Shoots are generally much shorter, around 10mm, with leaves that stick up and spread out from shoots even when dry and come to a much more finely tapered point. P. jungermannioides very rarely produces sporophytes and when it does they grow upright, rather than horizontally like in S confervoides, although it does grow rhizoids which S. confervoides does not (Blockeel, 2010, Smith & Smith, 2004). Additionally, unlike S. confervoides, P. jungermannioides can be found above 300m elevation, and on soil based substrates (Hill et al., 2017).
S. confervoides is quite rare in the UK, especially in Kent where only two sightings have been recorded, neither of which are particularly recent. Jan therefore, did not collect any samples of of S. confervoides during her time as Kent County Recorder so these could not be photographed. I would advise against taking samples of S. confervoides if you do encounter it, unless it is a particularly large population.
Distribution
S. confervoides is widespread across mainland Europe, growing in all countries except Albania, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, and Portugal. Its range then continues into South-Western Asia and the Middle East, spreading down into Iran, Georgia, and Armenia, and then East into Turkmenistan and Tajikistan before heading north into southern Siberia. Although it has not yet been recorded in Uzbekistan (Ignatov et al., 2006; Schnyder, 2019; Wigginton & Blockeel, 2015). Outside mainland Eurasia S. confervoides can also be found in Macaronesia (Madiera, and potentially the Azores), and in North America as far south as Tennessee (Nebel & Philippil, 2001; Smith & Smith, 2004). Globally its main habitat is comprised of temperate forests and urban areas, and it can be found between 0-2100m altitude (Schnyder, 2019). There are no major threats to this species in Europe, and it is considered common throughout this portion of its range. Although it is still regionally threatened in a few countries; Vulnerable in Ireland, Croatia and the Caucasus, and Endangered in Latvia, as well as Near Threatened in Spain (Hodgetts & Lockhart, 2020; Hodgetts & Lockhart, 2025).
While S. confervoides has been recorded in all parts of the UK and Ireland except the Channel Islands, it is still rare and scattered across the islands, although some of this could just be because it is a tricky species to spot. There have been recent concentrations of sightings around Wales, Glouscestershire, Oxfordshire and Somerset, as well as Cumbria and Derbyshire (Hill et al., 2017; Wigginton & Blockell, 2014). In Kent it is found specifically on Kentish ragstone, a type of limestone which was formed during the Cretaceous comes from the Hythe beds of the Lower Greensand.
UK Altitudinal Range: 20-290m (Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014).
Habitat and Ecology
S. confervoides is a perennial species so can be seen throughout the year, however the presence of capsules is useful for distinguishing between several similar species so it might be best to look for this moss during the summer when its mature capsules are most abundant (Blockeel, 2010; Smith & Smith, 2004).
S. confervoides is a moss of shaded places, while it can tolerate up to 30% relative illumination while under partial cover it is most common in areas with less than 5% relative illumination, and often grows in the shade of other moss species. As a result it mostly grows in very sheltered areas either on lumps of hard rock in temperate woodlands, or inside cracks and scars on rocky outcrops (Hill et al., 2017; Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014). This species also requires moderate humidity, and highly basic substrates with free calcium carbonate, although it prefers limestone over chalk and is common on carboniferous and oolitic substrates (Hill et al., 2017; Smith & Smith, 2004). It has no tolerance for the presence of salt or heavy metals in its substrate, and does not grow in highly infertile soil (Hill et al., 2014). Although globally it can be found in urban areas it has not been recorded in this type of habitat in the UK, instead its primary habitat here is broadleaf, deciduous forests, and its secondary habitat is inland cliffs, rocks and outcrops. The only substrate it can grow on is hard rock, which probably explains its preference for limestone over chalk (Hill et al., 2017; Nebel & Philippi, 2001; Schnyder, 2019).
Associated Species: Anomodon viticulosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Isothecium alopecuroides, Lejeunea cavifolia, Metzgeria furcata, Neckera complanata, Sciuro-hypnum populeum, and Thamnobryum alopecurum (Wigginton & Blockeel, 2014).
Regional Threat Level
British Red List: S. confervoides is currently considered Least Concern with a stable population in Britain, however because it is only found in about 30 hectads it is also considered a Nationally Scarce species here (Callaghan, 2022; Pescott, 2016).
Irish Red List: In 2025 S. confervoides is classified as Vulnerable under D2, meaning it has a restricted area of occupancy and/or a very small number of subpopulation. This indicates that it may be declining in Ireland as in 2012 it was considered only Near Threatened, and there have been no new records of the species here since 2012 (Hodgetts & Lockhart, 2025). As of 2013 the species was considered Nationally Scarce, however it is possible this would change to Nationally Rare given the current status of the species (Hodgetts & Lockhart, 2013).
References
Blockeel, T. J. (2010). Amblystegium confervoides. In I. Atherton, S. D. S. Bosanquet, & M. Lawley (Eds), Mosses and liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A field guide (p. 705). British Bryological Society.
Blockeel, T. J. (2014). Amblystegium serpens. In T. J. Blockeel, S. D. S. Bosanquet, M. O. Hill, & C. D. Preston (Eds), Atlas of British and Irish Bryophytes (Vol. 2). Pisces Publications.
Callaghan, D. A. (2022). A new IUCN Red List of the bryophytes of Britain, 2023. Journal of Bryology, 44(4), 271–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2023.2185393
Hill, M. O., Preston, C. D., Bosanquet, S. D. S., & Roy, D. B. (2017). BRYOATT - Attributes of British and Irish Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Hodgetts, N. G., & Lockhart, N. (2013). Rare and Scarce Bryophytes of Ireland. 110, 12–26.
Hodgetts, N., & Lockhart, N. (2020). Checklist and country status of European bryophytes – update 2020. National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Hodgetts, N., & Lockhart, N. (2025). Bryophytes (Mosses, Liverworts & Hornworts). Ireland Red List No. 14. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Ignatov, M., Afonina, O., & Ignatova, E. (2006). Checklist of mosses of East Europe and North Asia. Arctoa, 15, 1–130. https://doi.org/10.15298/arctoa.15.01
Nebel, M., & Philippi, G. (2001). Die Moose Baden-Württembergs. Ulmer.
Schnyder, N. 2019. Serpoleskea confervoides (Europe assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T86200663A87733493. Accessed on 29 September 2026.
Pescott, O. (2016). Revised lists of nationally rare and scarce bryophytes for Britain. 115, 22–30.
Preston, C. D. (2010). Habrodon purpusillus. In I. Atherton, S. D. S. Bosanquet, & M. Lawley (Eds), Mosses and liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A field guide (p. 686). British Bryological Society.
Smith, A. J. E., & Smith, R. (2004). The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland (2nd edn). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511541858
Wigginton, M. J., & Blockeel, T. L. (2014). Amblystegium confervoides. In T. L. Blockeel, S. D. S. Bosanquet, C. D. Preston, & M. O. Hill (Eds), Atlas of British and Irish Bryophytes (Vol. 2, p. 437). Pisces Publications.
Written By: Lucy Hudson. Last Updated: 2nd October 2026.