Saturday 4 November 2017

More Lophocolea semiteres in VC41

Because we've been concentrating mostly on fungi this autumn, most of our bryophyte recording has been rather incidental. Some of the most interesting records recently include a very large colony of Lophocolea semiteres in a Pine/Spruce forest in Ton Mawr (SS79589751) growing on needle beds and on fallen trunks with Hypnum jutlandicum and Lophocolea bidentata. While it is, perhaps, an unwelcome species in general, it is an interesting addition to the conifer plantation flora of Glamorgan.

Lophocolea semiteres, Ton Mawr

The Ton Mawr Sitka Spruce forest also has a small population of Leucobryum juniperoideum (which I've posted on before) and we saw more of this under Sitka in Glyncorrwg last week. There are now at least 4 records of this species associated with Sitka Spruce forests in Glamorgan.
re: Comments - See photo of Maes Gwyn Larch plantation habitat below.

Lophocolea semiteres habitat, Maes Gwyn Larch plantation

While foraying near the Red Jacket Iron Works site (near Jersey Marine) we noted a significant population of Riccia subbifurca growing with Fossombronia (not yet in fruit) and large amounts of what looks like Cephaloziella rubella (stilling working on it!). Lots of attractive Calliergonella lindbergii and Climacium dendroides here too and there is a large selection of grassland and birch/willow scrub fungi, such as Blue-edge Pinkgill (Entoloma serrulatum).

Track with Riccia subbifurca and Fossombronia, Red Jacket

Entoloma serrulatum, Red Jacket

2 comments:

  1. The iron works looks an interesting site and that's a nice selection of localised species you've found - good luck with the Cephaloziella, they are rewarding if you can nail them. I've still not encountered semiteres in the county and it does seem to be genuinely rare, another excellent find, even if not particularly welcome.

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  2. I'm not so sure that it is so rare anymore. We found another 2 patches today in the roadside verges of the Maes Gwyn Larch Plantation (SN85860786, SN85800785) above Glynneath. Look out for it in conifer plantations.

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