Conifer stump flora

A few of the lower plants found on one of thousands of conifer stumps on the Hirfynydd ridge today:

Campylopus introflexus (Heath Star Moss)

 Cladonia chlorophaea (a lichen)

 Cladonia coccifera agg. (a lichen)

Garden mosses in Gorseinon

This little ensemble was found growing on bare soil where last years bonfire was located. From top left to bottom right we have Barbula convoluta var. commutata (Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss). The large-leaved species are male plants of the aptly named Funaria hygrometrica (Bonfire-moss) and bottom right is Bryum rubens/ruderale (Crimson-tuber Thread-moss / Pea Moss). ID Sam Bosanquet.

Syntrichia ruralis var. ruralis (Great Hairy Screw-moss) is frequent on the composite tiles of the kitchen extension. It appears that Syntrichia ruralis var. ruraliformis (Sand-hill Screw-moss) isn't confined to sand-hills! ID Sam Bosanquet

Port Eynon Point

Trichostomum brachydontium (Variable Crisp-moss) was found to be frequent amongst the rocks and shallow soils at the point.

Wall mosses at Lunnon

Not so sure about these (specimens collected for det.), both found growing on a roadside wall made of limestone rocks, the first one in semi-shade near the base of the wall.

cf Racomitrium aquaticum (Narrow-leaved Fringe-moss): supposed to occur in moist river valleys, so may have this one wrong, though keyed out pretty well? [I now strongly susupect this is Anomodon viticulosus (Rambling Tail-moss), confirmed by Sam Bosanquet]

Id'd by Sam Bosanquet as Tortella nitida (Neat Crisp-moss) with springtails in attendance. Dentated, untoothed leaf margins with leaf tips frequently snapped off.

Bryophytes at Ilston Ford

Homalothecium sericeum (Silky Wall Feather-moss)

Porella platyphylla (Wall Scalewort)

Both growing with Thamnobryum alopecurum (Fox-tail Feather-moss), forming a dense weft of mosses covering the wall below the ford.

Mosses on Oxwich Point

SS50918564. Two cushion-forming species growing on a shaded, drippy, limestone ledge with minimal accumulation of soil/mineral material. Cushions 3-4cm thick and 6-10cm diameter. Only a few m above extreme HWM, but in a very sheltered n-facing cove, so spray influence probably limited.

Sp.A Leaves with red nerve, shortly excurrent colourless tip. Blade with hooded tip.
Identified by Sam Bosanquet as Trichostomum crispulum (Curly Crisp-moss)

Sp. B More compact with erect leaves. Tip flat ill-defined teeth near tip - not attempted to key this one yet. [Det by Sam Bosanquet as Eucladium verticillatum (Whorled Tufa-moss)]

Talgarth's Well

Sphagnum denticulatum (Cow-horn Bog-moss)