Ceratodon

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Ceratodon (order Dicranales) A genus of mosses in which the leaves are ovate to narrowly lanceolate with recurred margins. C. purpureus is very common in Britain. It grows on bare ground, forming extensive colonies which are particularly conspicuous in spring owing to the reddish-purple colour of the abundant capsule stalks (setae). It is found on heaths, moors, roadside banks, etc., and on wall tops. It is a cosmopolitan genus of about 22 species.