Racomitrium sudeticum, Mynydd Ton (RCT)
Growing on a sandstone outcrop with R. heterostichum, R. aquaticum and Andrea rothii ssp. falcata on the exposed trail on Mynydd Ton near the boundary between RCT and Bridgend counties (SS9493).
The narrow leaves with short hairpoints and the dull green, compact cushions look quite different from the more lax, hoary (greyish) colonies of R. heterostichum (which have longer hairpoints).
Short hairpoint of R. sudeticum
Lower part of leaf showing elongated, non-papillose, sinuous cells.
My guess is that R. sudeticum is scattered about on the higher, exposed sandstone outcrops of RCT and Bridgend, so we can expect more records in VC41.
Very nice Charles - that's only the 3rd site for vc41. I spent an hour giving SN61W a bash this evening; nothing as nice as your Racomitrium in fairly ordinary habitats, Bridge parapets providing the most interesting with species such as Gymnostomum aeruginosum, Pella endiviifolia, Didymodon tophaceus, etc on the bridge over the Amman and Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, polytrichum juniper I number, Racomitrium a circular, Schistidium apocarpon, etc on the bridge over the Garnant.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the auto-corrections - I can still only comment from my phone or iPad and i should have checked before posting
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Barry, that corner of the county needs attention, it's also short of vascular plant records. I was able to decode your message with my enigma machine, but a reference to 'turkey' in one of your recent comments has foiled even the best minds in MI6 !!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and photos. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLol - Mr Apple's auto-correct programming team have a lot to answer for! You'll be pleased to know I did record a good list of vascular plants there too as well as bryos, which are now up to 78 species.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Barry. Also, Orthotrichum rivulare on Tawe River near Pontadawe today. And being as I'm on a bit of a run with predictions.......Wales to win the European Championship.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't for Leicester's achievement I'd be laughing right now - Wales or England would be great
ReplyDelete