Mosses and Bryophytes
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Bryophytes in Dorset
Number of mosses and liverworts
found in 10 km squares in Dorset
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Dorset is a small lowland county with a generally unremarkable bryophyte flora,
which at present comprises 103 liverworts and 355 mosses. The number of species
is limited by the low rainfall and lack of extensive hard acid rock outcrops
compared with more western counties. However, the county was never subjected
to high levels of sulphur dioxide pollution and epiphytes are generally well-
represented, especially Leptodon smithii (Prince of Wales Feather-moss)
which is more abundant here than anywhere else in the country.
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Bryophyte Habitats
Sphagnum pulchrum Golden Bog-moss
Locally abundant in many valley mires in Purbeck,
colouring the mire surface orange.
Photo: Bryan Edwards
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Habitats of particular importance for bryophytes in the county include the
many valley mires scattered throughout the Poole Basin. These retain a good
variety of Sphagna (bog-mosses) including the rare and beautiful
Sphagnum pulchrum (Golden Bog-moss), which dominates many of the Purbeck
mires but is not known anywhere else in southern England. Among the Sphagna a
full range of ‘bog hepatics’ (liverworts) are present.
Eurhynchium meridionale Portland Feather-moss
Photo: Bryan Edwards
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The Isle of Portland is a nationally important site for bryophytes and has had
a long history of exploration since the discovery of Eurhynchium meridionale
(Portland Feather-moss) in 1881. The island supports many mediterranean species
at or near the northern limit of their natural habitat in Britain, including the
largest UK populations of the minute liverworts Cephaloziella baumgartneri
(Chalk Threadwort) and Southbya nigrella (Blackwort) and the moss
Eurhynchium meridionale (Portland Feather-moss) which is confined in
UK
to Dorset.
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Latest News
Plagiochila killarniensis Killarney Featherwort
Photo: Bryan Edwards
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Since the publication of the flora two species have been added to the Dorset list.
On Portland the oceanic liverwort Plagiochila killarniensis (Killarney
Featherwort) was found among sheltered limestone rocks. This species is very rare
in lowland southern England with only one recent record from the New Forest.
Bryum kunzei (Funck’s Thread-moss) was found in the Herbarium in Cardiff by Dr
David Holyoak while undertaking work on the genus Bryum. The specimen was
collected in the 1960’s from the cliffs near Durdle Door.
The full list of Dorset flora is published in The
mosses and liverworts of Dorset, available from DERC.
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Who To Contact
If you would like to send in any records of mosses and liverworts, or for further
information on how you can become involved, please contact:
| British Bryological Society recorder for Dorset: |
Bryan Edwards |
| E-mail: |
Enquiries@derc.org.uk |
| Telephone: |
01305 228520 |
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Dorset Environmental Records Centre