British Status: Data Deficient*
Additional: Wildlife and Countryside Act Schedule 8; European Red Data Book; EC Habitats Directive; Biodiversity Key Species

A moss of base-rich flushes in upland districts, and in the lowlands in mildly-basic spring-influenced small-sedge fens.

Distinguished from similar species by the combination of: longitudinally plicate leaves; absence of auricles at the base of the leaves; and the stem structure as seen in transverse section.

*The status of this species in Britain and in Europe is not entirely clear since it has often been confused in the past with Drepanocladus cossoni and other similar species . All traceable British herbarium specimens were re-examined in the late 1990s and many re-determined. Recent survey work has revealed Hamatocaulis vernicosus to be widespread in the southern half of Wales, and some large populations occur here. Survey work in North Wales for this species has been less intensive but there is every likelihood it will prove more common here than previously thought. The map above is based on validated post-1980 records.