A tricky species to photograph because of its diminutive size and penchant for growing on damp rock in shady places! This photo was taken by Bill Boyd at the Spring meeting in Wharfedale earlier this year, and demonstrates beautifully the arcuate seta of developing capsules and flexuose seta of mature capsules.
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Dicranoweisia cirrata (Common Pincushion) seems to have a knack for growing in beautiful places! This photo was taken by Sarah Grinsted at the Spring meeting in Wharfedale earlier this year. You can see more images in our Species Finder page demonstrating its ability to seek out lovely spots to grow.
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A rather lovely fruiting cushion of Daltonia splachnoides spotted in Step Gill at the recent Wharfedale meeting by Tom Blockeel (for whom it was conveniently at eye-level, above the heads of some of us!). This photo shows 2 characteristic features: the fringed calyptra, and long, pale peristome teeth.
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Beautiful glossy shoots of Porella arboris-vitae photographed at Grass Wood on the recent Wharfedale meeting, by Bill Boyd. You can see why its common name is Bitter Scalewort (the 'bitter' refers to the peppery taste which will confirm the species if you're not sure).
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One of the many fascinating things seen (and photographed) at the recent Reproductive Structures workshop at Treborth Botanic Gardens. This image shows the archegonia (female organs) of Hookeria lucens. Male organs (antheridia) were also seen, and the reproductive structures of many other species studied and recorded. Many thanks to Prof. Jeff Duckett for sharing some of his considerable knowledge of this rather under-valued and neglected aspect of bryology.
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A visit was recently made to Woolmer Forest in North Hampshire v.-c.12 in an attempt to refind Protolophozia herzogiana. This was not successful, but the locality provided a rich assemblage of leafy liverworts including this Odontoschisma denudatum. This attractive species with bright gemmae on attenuated shoots is found typically on moist peaty banks but appears to be declining. The plants were growing through a mat of algal slime due to atmospheric nitrogen deposition which is a major threat to small leafy liverworts.
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This species has featured before as a Bryophyte of the Month, back in the 2000's, but there is always a place for a beautiful (and scarce) bryophyte with a story to tell!
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The Glos local group was pleased to find this species on a recent meeting in the Forest of Dean. It can be difficult to tell from the more common P. asplenioides and P. porelloides, but its habit - growing in loose mats - and leaf shape gave this one away. On close inspection, the cells looked a little larger too, but that needed confirming under the microscope.
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One of the many beautiful liverworts seen on the recent BBS Liverwort Workshop in Kinlochewe. This lovely photo was taken by Philippa Thompson.
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I'm not sure what this Marchantia was looking at, surely the photographer wasn't that scary!!!
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