Mosses and Bryophytes

Bryophytes in Dorset

Number of mosses and liverworts found in 10 km squares in Dorset, February 2005

Number of mosses and liverworts
found in 10 km squares in Dorset

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.

Bryophyte Habitats

Sphagnum pulchrum - Golden Bog-moss

Sphagnum pulchrum Golden Bog-moss

Photo: Bryan Edwards

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

Eurhynchium meridionale Portland Feather-moss

Photo: Bryan Edwards

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.

Latest News

Plagiochila killarniensis - Killarney Featherwort

Plagiochila killarniensis Killarney Featherwort

Photo: Bryan Edwards

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.

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