Lophocolea heterophylla

The most useful field mark is the leaf shape. Near the base of the stem, the leaves are bilobed, meaning they split into two lobes. Higher up the stem, the leaves become notched or completely smooth, with no notches and no lobes.

The plant is pale green and translucent. Its shoots can reach about 3 mm wide, and the leaves are no more than 1.5 mm across and long.

The plant has a strong scent, which can help identify it in the field.

In the British Isles, it is often found with reproductive structures present. Small gemmae, which are structures for asexual reproduction, sometimes appear on the edges of the leaves and bracts.

In Britain, the variable-leaved crestwort is most frequent in the south, especially in England. It reaches as far north as Inverness in Scotland. It also occurs on the Isle of Man and in parts of the Republic of Ireland.

It grows mostly on the bases of trees. It also grows on fallen wood, soil, leaf litter and roots.

The species can be found in most types of woodland. Ancient woodland is a key habitat in the west and north of its range.

Observation records show presence across the year, with the most records in the spring and summer months.

Lophocolea heterophylla is a nonvascular plant, so it lacks the water-conducting tissue found in most land plants. It forms low, flattened shoots that spread over bark, wood and soil.

Its shoots are small, reaching about 3 mm in width. Individual leaves are no more than 1.5 mm across and long, which keeps the whole plant compact.

The pale, translucent leaves give the mats a light green appearance in shaded woodland.