Sphagnum quinquefarium in Glamorgan

Sphagnum quinquefarium in the Sychryd Valley

It is odd that we don't have many records of Sphagnum quinquefarium in Glamorgan, since there are lots of steep Sessile Oak woodlands in the county that look suitable for this ancient woodland species. This site is only just in VC41, being on the Glamorgan side of the Sychryd Valley (SN91580800) and not far from where we saw it in the Mellte Valley a few weeks ago. Some plants were a striking pink colour (see photo) and stood out even for people with compromised colour vision. Nearby, some Marsupella emarginata var. emarginata on a wet, vertical, sandstone outcrop with Saccogyna viticulosa and Lejeunea cavifolia was the only other highlight.

During a quick trip up the Pyrddin Valley to Sgwd Gwladys to photograph Anoectangium aestivans and Breutelia chrysocoma, we recorded Lejeunea patens, L. lamacerina and L. cavifolia in the vicinity of the waterfall. A rotten log there had a mixture of Riccardia palmata, R. multifida and Odontoschisma denudatum. 

Anoectangium aestivans, Sgwd Gwladys

Breutelia chrysocoma, Sgwd Gwladys

Darren Serth

In what seemed like drought conditions during a pleasant walk up towards the Upper Lliw Resr, I came across a nice little patch of Breutelia chrysocoma near the path as it passes alongside the crags of Darren Serth (SN655052). I was surprised to discover this is only the 3rd Glam site and at 150m asl this seems quite low so far south. The site is definitely work another look in better conditions. Also noted were Campylopus atrovirens and Bartramia pomiformis.

a few more pics showing fertile / reproductive features to look out for

I just had a quick look through photos to see if I had examples of other features to look out for ....

large gemmae on leaf tips of Grimmia hartmanii (lots in Neath waterfalls area and near Penderyn so should hopefully get into Glam - it may well be on the Glam side of the Afon Nedd above the Angel Inn); tiny plantlets on Leucodon;  male Lunularia; short fruits on Breutelia usually well tucked away in middle of tufts.