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This page will list recent updates to the website, to make it easier for you to keep up to date. News posts won’t be included as they automatically appear on the Home page. Similarly upcoming events are shown on the Home page and won’t be included here (unless there is an important update to a […]

Bryophyte Trainee position at RBGE

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) are offering a rare opportunity for a highly motivated individual to gain extensive practical skills in bryophyte identification, field ecology, recording and surveying, backed up with a sound knowledge of bryophyte biology and basic herbarium practices.  This traineeship aims to facilitate the development of a career as a specialist […]

BIBS: A name change and beyond

Hopefully all members are aware of the decision at the 2024 AGM to rename the BBS to explicitly include Ireland, with the agreed new name being ‘British and Irish Bryological Society’. Work on this has been ongoing, but there has also been a more recent proposal to move the Society from an Unincorporated charity to […]

Daltonia splachnoides

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.

Porella arboris-vitae

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).

Hookeria lucens

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.

The story of Treborth Botanic Garden Moss Trail

Read about the creation of Treborth Botanic Garden Moss trail, one of the many initiatives inspired by National Moss Day 2023.

Odontoschisma denudatum

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.

Membership Management system – update for members with expired subscriptions

Hedwigia ciliata var leucophaea

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!