The crag is west facing and sits on the shoulder of the down at SS898759. Working south I'd found little of interest by the half way point, but then close together were two smallish patches of Entosthodon pulchellus on soil-capped ledges (posed for this photo on garden soil at home...I took a sample as I wasn't sure of the species in the field). Associates included Trichostomum brachydontium and Fissidens incurvus.
There was nothing else of particular note, but small amounts of Pleurochaete squarrosa, Plagiomnium affine and Eurhynchium striatulum are perhaps worth mentioning.
I've downloaded some more photos from the cheapo work camera - not the best but gives an impression of habitat and microsite. If the latter is blown up there are at least three fruiting plants (red circles) and what looks like quite a few non-fruiting plants among the Trichostomum brachydontium cushions.
I think that's new for Vale. Richard Lansdown had C calyculata but not E pulch.
ReplyDeleteWhic 'don next?! Aplodon or maybe Iguanodon?!
Well don George, extends the known range nicely.
ReplyDeleteThanks both. It looks from the aerials like there are some more (but smaller) limestone exposures further up the slope, so I'll try and check these out in the near future.
ReplyDeleteAplodon...the stuff of dreams.
E pulchellus is a Section 42 species, so a doubly excellent record. I need to add it to the S42 Register and we probably ought to tell the Vale LBAP Officer.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have GPS but the 8 fig grid ref is likely to be SS89807595. Let me know if you need any extra info.
ReplyDeleteNot sure who Vale LBAP officer is (maybe Erica Dixon?). Let me know if you'd like me to contact them.
Another excellent record George.
ReplyDelete