I found three tiny plants of Petalophyllum in the slack which Karen Wilkinson had mentioned was the best place to find this species, but more interesting perhaps was some Riccia in a different slack (where I cited the trap). I'm pretty sure this is R. cavernosa but am posting photos here as I've not seen this species before and I don't think it's been recorded from Merthyr Mawr. The plants were scrappy and looked much older than the babies which Barry found at Kenfig.
Great effort George, there can't be too many people who have found Petalophyllum by torchlight before! Well done with the Riccia too - although it does not look as perforate as the Kenfig material and appears strikingly pale (possibly a flash effect) I'm sure that's what it probably is. I'm due to visit MM soon so will see if I can find some better developed material. Good to know the Petalwort is now showing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barry, I think the pale colour is just due to the unnatural torch / camera flash lighting. I'll email you some grid refs.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't too many people who have found Petalophyllum at all, let alone at night. I remember spending what seemed to be hours on my hands and knees before finding it in broad daylight. Remarkable effort George
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Charles but I bet with a good torch it's not much harder to find at night than in the day. And Karen had told me where to look.
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