LIVERWORTS LIVERWORTS MOSSES Heller’s Notchwort (Anastrophyllum hellerianum) Hatcher’s Paw-wort (Barbilophozia hatcheri) Key features for identifying Key features for identifying liverworts Mosses Growth form. There are two sorts of liverworts; leafy Growth form. Leaving aside the very distinctive bog- liverworts have a stem and leaves and resemble a mosses (Sphagnum), mosses can be split into two moss, whereas thallose or thalloid liverworts have a groups, acrocarpous and pleurocarpous. There is a simple strap of tissue with no stem or leaves. Leafy technical difference between these two forms but in liverworts can form erect cushions and turfs while some practical terms, acrocarps usually have erect stems are creeping and closely apressed to rock or tree. The and grow in cushions or turfs while pleurocarps tend size of the plant is also important; a number of oceanic Michael Lüth to grow with main stems parallel to the ground (or rock Leafy liverwort NS ; size: very small and forming thin patches Leafy liverwort; size: small to medium-sized forming tight liverworts are very, very small. Above - Left: acrocarpous Scott’s Fork moss (Dicranum Above - Left: a thallose liverwort, Overleaf Pellia (Pellia or tree trunk) and form wefts. The often dense growth of upright stems; colour: yellow or yellow green with shoot patches of erect stems; colour: mid or yellow green, often with Leaf shape. This is all-important in leafy liverworts and scottianum) ; right: pleurocarpous Larger Mouse-tail epiphylla) with fruits; right: a leafy liverwort with round form of acrocarps means that their sparse branches tips red with gemmae; leaves: tiny with two lobes but hardly some shoot tips red with gemmae; leaves: rounded-rectangular leaves, Autumn Flapwort (Jamesoniella autumnalis). is much more variable than in mosses. Liverwort leaves Moss (Isothecium alopecuroides). are obscured while in pleurocarps the branches are can be simple and round, they can be deeply divided visible even with a lens; habitat: on well-rotted, rather damp in outline but with three or four lobes, each lobe usually ending into fi laments or into broader lobes, the lobes can be usually many and easily seen. logs; note: not easy to see without putting your nose to the in a little sharp point (lens); underleaves: usually visible with of different sizes and can be bent over or under each Branching. For some of the pleurocarps it is useful log but once spotted easily recognised by the erect stems a lens, with two long pointed lobes; habitat: on thin peaty soil other and formed into fl aps or pouches. Many liverworts to note what the pattern of branching looks like. Is with red tips. on rocks and in scree; note: a very similar and equally common also have pronounced teeth on the margin of the leaf, it regular with branches more or less opposite each species, Common Paw-wort (Barbilophozia fl oerkei), never has visible without a hand lens. Many leafy liverworts also gemmae and lacks points on the lobes have under-leaves, usually much smaller than the main other on the main stem (pinnate) or irregular? Are leaves, and on the lower side of the stem. the regular branches branched again (bi-pinnate) and Horned Flap-wort (Lophozia longidens) Monster Paw-wort (Tetralophozia setiformis) again (tri-pinnate) giving a fern-like structure? Photoset Left - A variety of leafy liverwort leaves, clockwise from top left: Taylor’s Flapwort (Mylia taylori), Prickly Colour. Colour and texture are all-important fi eld Featherwort (Plagiochila spinulosa), Ciliated Fringewort Above - Irregular branching in Red-stemmed Feather- characters. Many species have a particular shade, (Ptilidium ciliare), White earwort (Diplophyllum albicans - moss (Pleurozium schreberi) on the left and regular admittedly usually of green, which coupled with note upper lobe bent over the top of the lower and the line tri-pinnate branching in Glittering Wood-moss the structure of stem and leaf, gives a texture which of longer cells), Common Paw-wort (Barbilophozia fl oerkei), (Hylocomium splendens) on the right; note the red stems. is what the eye picks up from a distance. Another Bifi d Crestwort (Lophocolea bidentata), Creeping Fingerwort important colour is that of the main stem; when (Lepidozia reptans), part of stem with ‘fi ngered’ leaves. the leaves are dry they become opaque and it may be necessary to scrape away some leaves with your

fi ngernail to see the stem colour. Michael Lüth Michael Lüth Leafy liverwort NS; size: small and forming loose patches Leafy liverwort NS; size: small to medium sized but often Abbreviations Leaf shape. Moss leaves have a variety of shapes but of normally procumbent stems; colour: mid or dark green forming large dense cushions of erect stems; colour: yellow they tend to be variations on the same theme, with NR – nationally rare; NS – nationally scarce; BAP – a Biodiversity Action Plan species; with some shoot tips red with gemmae; leaves: rectangular or sometimes orange or dark brown; leaves: inserted close a relatively broad base tapering to a narrower apex. S8 – listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). in outline but with two pointed lobes with an acute gap together across the stem with up to four long pointed lobes with Some leaves are long and narrow and taper to a fi ne between them, the leaves near the stem apex having dark red a narrow gap in between, lobes erect and pointing up the stem; point, others have a broad triangular shape tapering gemmae (lens); habitat: often present on the older, sprawling underleaves: large and with two lobes; habitat: on thin peaty shortly to a sharp point. Other mosses have leaves stems of juniper and also on thin peaty soil on rocks; note: soil on rocks and in scree; note: a characteristic species of dry with a blunt apex and a few species have round leaves. the red gemmae and the relatively long sharp lobes are scree in eastern hills and readily recognised by the tight cushions Further information Another useful character is whether or not the leaves characteristic. of erect stems and narrow lobes on the closely-set leaves. Books are all curved in the same direction (falcate) or bent British Mosses and liverworts: a fi eld guide. British Bryological Society (2010). The fi rst comprehensive colour fi eld guide to back from the stem (refl exed or squarrose). Some Curled Notchwort (Anastrophyllum saxicola) Ciliated Fringewort (Ptilidium ciliare) bryophytes with good keys and hundreds of photos. leaves also have teeth on the margin, usually visible Mosses and Liverworts; Gordon Rothero (2005). A brief, general introduction to Scottish bryophytes, part of the ‘Naturally only with a hand lens. Scottish’ series published by Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby. Photoset above - A variety of moss-leaf shapes, clockwise Nerve (or costa). A very useful character is whether Bryophytes of native woods – a fi eld guide to common mosses and liverworts of Scotland’s native woods. Carol L Crawford from top left: Dotted Thyme-moss (Rhizomnium (2002), Native Woodlands Discussion Group. A small booklet with good colour photos. the moss leaf has a nerve or not. The nerve (or costa) punctatum), Catherine’s Moss (Atrichum undulatum), Mosses and Liverworts. New Naturalist 97, Porley RD & Hodgetts NG, (2005). Collins. An accessible account of our bryophyte is a thickened rib of tissue running up the centre of Little Shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), Yellow heritage with a good section on woodlands. the leaf which looks like a dark line if the leaf is held Fringe-moss (Racomitrium aciculare), Common Striated The geographical relationships of British and Irish bryophytes; Hill MO & Preston CD (1998). Journal of Bryology, 20: 127-226. against the light and viewed with the hand-lens. It Feather-moss (Eurhynchium striatum), Cypress-leaved usually extends beyond halfway up the leaf and may Bryophytes of Information and advice Plait-moss (Hypnum cupressiforme). reach the apex. www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk. The British Bryological Society has an excellent website with useful information on publications, courses, fi eld meetings and lots of pictures. Leafy liverwort; size: medium-sized but often forming large Scotland’s pine woodlands www.nwdg.org.uk. The Native Woodland Discussion Group runs courses on Atlantic mosses and liverworts. cushions or patches; branching: irregularly pinnate, occasionally bi- Moss or liverwort? Leafy liverwort NR; size: medium sized but often forming pinnate, at right-angles to the stem, the branches blunt at the end Advice and Support colour: usually some shade of yellow but may be variegated red, large dense cushions of erect stems; colour: yellow or Plantlife Scotland can help you in your quest for information and support. Initially this is a tricky question but with a little experience it ceases to be a problem. Thallose liverworts are green or brownish; leaves: two lobes but the most noticeable feature greenish brown, occasionally with a reddish tinge; leaves: Plantlife Scotland, Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG easy but leafy liverworts can be passed over as mosses by the uninitiated. In most mosses the leaves grow all is the margin which has lots of long narrow teeth (cilia) easily visible complex, two lobed with the smaller upper lobe folded up over Tel: +44 (0) 1786 478509 www.plantlife.org.uk [email protected] around the stem but in most liverworts the main leaves are in two ranks down each side of the stem, sometimes with a lens; underleaves: similar in shape to the main leaves but © March 2010 ISBN 978-1-907141-24-9 with a line of smaller under-leaves below. Most moss leaves are roughly triangular, wide at the base and narrow the larger lower lobe, the lower lobe is concave and the top much smaller; habitat: on well-drained sites with other bryophytes Plantlife Scotland is part of Plantlife International – the Wild Plant Conservation charity, a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in to the apex; few liverworts are like that. Moss leaves never have lobes whereas many leafy liverworts do. Most edge of the upper lobe is turned in towards the stem; habitat: amongst ericaceous shrubs, in heathy grassland and in woodland; Scotland (SC038951) and in England and Wales (1059559). Registered company no 3166339. on thin peaty soil on rocks and in scree; note: a rare species note: confusion only possible with the related but much smaller mosses with round leaves have a nerve; no leafy liverworts have a nerve but a few have lines of cells running up Tree Fringewort (Ptilidium pulcherimum) and Wood’s Whipwort the centre of the leaf. of scree, the dense patches of erect stems with closely set, This guide has been written and illustrated for Plantlife Scotland by Gordon Rothero. bilobed leaves are usually easily identifi ed. (Mastigophora woodsii) a scarce western oceanic species of humid British Lichen Society All photos © Gordon Rothero unless otherwise stated. Cover photo © Laurie Campbell. sites which has longer branches tapering to a point. MOSSES Where the woodland is heathy, as is common Green Shield-moss (Buxbaumia viridis) Broom Fork-moss (Dicranum scoparium) Dusky Fork-moss (Dicranum fuscescens) Rusty Fork-moss (Dicranum spurium) Wavy Fork-moss (Dicranum undulatum) Introduction under pine and birch, the dominant bryophytes are Glittering Wood-moss Heath Plait-moss (Hypnum jutlandicum) This Plantlife fi eld guide will help those who want to large pleurocarpous species like Glittering Wood- (Hylocomium splendens) go a little further in identifying the carpets of mosses moss (Hylocomium splendens), Big Shaggy-moss and liverworts that are such an obvious feature of (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus), Red-stemmed Feather- many of our Scots pine woodlands. This guide deals moss (Pleurozium schreberi), Heath Plait-moss with some of the typical species and a few of the more (Hypnum jutlandicum), Ostrich-plume Feather-moss uncommon and rare species of particular habitats (Ptilium crista-castrensis) and, in more humid woods, within the woodland. It is focused largely on the Red Bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium), Little woodlands of the east of Scotland, so, for the pine Shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus) and Waved woods of the west, particularly Beinn Eighe, the guides Silk-moss (Plagiothecium undulatum). These species for Atlantic woodland would be more useful. are often abundant and occur to the exclusion of all What are pine woodlands? else. In drier woodland with a more complete pine They are semi-natural stands of woodland where Scots canopy, the fl oor may be more open with areas of bare pine forms a signifi cant proportion of the canopy. pine needles; here there are often dense cushions of Within these woodlands pine or birch may be the Broom Fork-moss (Dicranum scoparium) and Dusky dominant tree and there will also be rowan, aspen Fork-moss (Dicranum fuscescens) running up onto the and more locally alder and willows, especially along tree bases. water-courses. Some woodlands, mostly in the east Rocks, crags and scree: Within pine woodland there NR, BAP, S8; fruit: The leaves of this strange moss Acrocarpous; size: medium-sized and usually Acrocarpous; size: medium-sized and usually Acrocarpous NS, BAP; Size: medium-sized and Acrocarpous NS, BAP; size: medium to robust Pleurocarpous; size: robust and usually forming Pleurocarpous; size: small and forming untidy of Scotland, have a patchy understory of juniper and are often areas of crag and scree which have some are too tiny to see and it is only the large capsule forming cushions and occasionally tight turfs; forming cushions and occasionally tight turfs; forming open turfs or just scattered stems; branching: and forming dense cushions which can be large; large patches; branching: regular with branches patches or straggling stems; branching: irregularly occasionally of hazel. characteristic species. Grey carpets of Woolly Fringe- that attracts attention, resembling a ‘bug-on-a- branching: obscured; colour: mid-green, leaves: branching: obscured; colour: mid-to dark green, obscured; colour: yellow to mid-green, leaves: branching: obscured; colour: yellow to olive-green, branched again, like a small fern; colour: mid to pinnate with all the branches in the same plane What are mosses and liverworts? moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum) are common and stick’. This capsule is 5mm or so long on a stem of long, very narrowly triangular with a toothed apex; leaves: long, very narrowly triangular with a tapering abruptly from a broad base to a fi ne apex, leaves: long, narrowly triangular with a rather short, yellow-green, often ‘chaffy’ when dry; stem: red, so the shoots look fl at; colour: pale-green, often cushions of Dusky Fork-moss (Dicranum fuscescens) about the same length and held erect when young leaves often curved in one direction; habitat: on fi ne, toothed apex (lens), leaves often curved in irregularly undulate and concave giving the shoots a toothed apex, regularly and strongly undulate; springy; new growth emerging from old frond and whitish when dry; stem: green; leaves: narrow, Mosses and liverworts (collectively known as are frequent and there may be patches of the liverwort and at more of an angle when mature. Bright green drier open parts of the woodland fl oor, often on pine one direction; habitat: on drier open parts of the fat appearance; habitat: most frequent on thin peat habitat: in boggy areas within the woodland where may form several layers of fronds, hence ‘step- rounded-triangular, no nerve and with a fi ne bryophytes) are two of the oldest groups of land plants Hatcher’s Paw-wort (Barbilophozia hatcheri). Two in the winter, brown and peeling when mature in litter in bare areas and often around the base of pine woodland fl oor, often on pine litter in bare areas under open, ‘leggy’ heather on moderate to steep there has been little disturbance; note: the olive-green stair moss’; leaves: broadly triangular, no nerve; pointed tip which is turned down giving the and have had millions of years to evolve a variety of characteristic species of scree are the liverworts the summer; habitat: most sites are on rotting logs trees, but also on rocks and logs; note: the much and often around the base of pine trees, but also slopes but also occurring in damper heath; note: a colour and the habit and habitat are useful characters habitat: woodland fl oor, ledges, boulder tops. shoots a ‘plaited’ appearance; habitat: a common species that have colonised almost all habitats apart Monster Paw-wort (Tetralophozia setiformis) which or stumps but it has been found on old wood-ant larger Greater Fork-moss (Dicranum majus) is also on rocks and logs; note: easily confused with very different ‘habit’ from other Dicranum species and but this is a diffi cult plant to spot despite its size. species amongst the heather and blaeberry in from the sea. Most have a simple structure with a is quite common here and the rare Curled Notchwort nests and rarely on bark of living trees; note: a common in more humid woodland, it has very long, Broom Fork-moss (Dicranum scoparium) but the might be overlooked as the common moss Swans-neck heathy woodland; note: Cypress-leaved Plait-moss main stem and more or less frequent branches covered (Anastrophyllum saxicola). Schedule 8 species so should not be disturbed. regularly curved leaves. fi ne, wispy apex is distinctive, particularly when Thyme-moss (Mnium hornum) when dry. (Hypnum cupressiforme), a very common species in leaves. They do not have roots but absorb water and Trees and logs: Bryophytes do not like pine bark and dry. in a variety of habitats, is similar but is usually minerals directly into the (usually) single layer of cells greener and has less regular branching. in the leaves. Though some bryophytes are strongly are usually limited to the base of the tree. The fl ora on coloured, often red or purple, most are some shade birch is also poor but where there are hazels or aspens of green and an appreciation of the many shades of the fl ora can be quite rich, particularly with species Waved Silk-moss Red-stemmed Feather-moss Common Haircap (Polytrichum commune) Ostrich-plume Feather-moss Big Shaggy-moss Little Shaggy-moss Red Bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium) green is a useful quality in anyone wishing to identify of Bristle-mosses (Orthotrichum). Dead wood can (Plagiothecium undulatum) (Pleurozium schreberi) Bristly Haircap (Polytrichum piliferum) (Ptilium crista-castrensis) (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus) (Rhytidiadelphus loreus) these small plants. often provide a humid habitat and has an interesting fl ora; in damp places species like Wood-rust (Nowellia Why are the mosses and liverworts important? curvifolia) and Palmate Germanderwort (Riccardia Bryophytes in woodland are an excellent indicator palmata) are common and good logs may have the of habitat quality and contribute much to the tiny liverwort Heller’s Notchwort (Anastrophyllum functioning of the woodland ecosystem, as well as hellerianum) and the rare moss Green Shield-moss giving character and aesthetic appeal. The UK has (Buxbaumia viridis). some 1100 species of bryophyte, approximately 65% ‘Bryologising’ of the European fl ora; in comparison our vascular plants total only 15%. Our remnants of Atlantic Although identifying species initially needs a woodland have as great a diversity of bryophytes as modicum of determination, it is possible to quite almost anywhere else on the planet. Our pinewoods quickly become familiar with the common mosses and are less diverse but have a more continental fl ora and liverworts in pine woodlands. They have the virtue of affi nities with the forests of Scandinavia and include a being available all the year round and grow in really number of Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species that nice places. Though some of the species are very are rare or absent elsewhere in the UK. distinct, even from some metres away, the process and the enjoyment will be enhanced if you get used Pleurocarpous; size: robust and usually forming Pleurocarpous; size: robust and usually forming Acrocarpous; size: very large and forming large Pleurocarpous; size: robust and often forming Pleurocarpous; size: very robust and often Pleurocarpous; size: robust and usually forming Bog-moss; size: medium sized and forming Bryophyte communities to using a hand-lens (at least x10) to reveal the fi ner large patches; branching: sparse and irregular; large patches; branching: irregular and rather hummocks or lawns; branching: sparse and large patches; branching: very closely pinnate and forming large patches; branching: irregular large patches; branching: irregular; colour: mid to swelling cushions or hummocks of erect A number of the plants illustrated in this guide are features on which identifi cation sometimes depends. very precise as to the habitat they need but it is colour: typically a whitish green; stem: green; untidy; colour: mid to yellow-green and ‘chaffy’ obscure; colour: dark green; leaves: a white base so feather-like hence the English name; colour: and rather untidy; colour: yellow-green, straw- yellow-green; stem: red, springy; leaves: broadly stems and often as a loose turf under heather; In the descriptions, where a lens is necessary, it is leaves: rounded-triangular, tapering shortly to when dry; stem: red; leaves: rather rounded- that clasps the stem, above narrowly triangular to mid to yellow-green; stem: green and furry with coloured when dry; stem: red but often obscured triangular, no nerve; curved in one direction branching: a bunch of tight branches at the top possible to group species into broad communities indicated by (lens); remember, hand-lens to the eye a point and with distinct undulations running triangular, tapering to a blunt point, no nerve; a shortly pointed apex and strongly toothed; the green fi laments under the lens; leaves: narrowly by the leaves; leaves: triangular, pale yellow-green so that the stem ends look hooked; habitat: of the stem (capitulum) and whorls of branches within the pinewoods. It needs to be emphasised that and move the plant into focus. across the leaf, no nerve; habitat: woodland fl oor, habitat: woodland fl oor, ledges, boulder tops leaves are opaque and look thick because of the triangular, tapering to a long fi ne point, no nerve, and again rather untidy; habitat: woodland fl oor, woodland fl oor, ledges, boulder tops; note: a bit below; colour: often red or pink but variegated there will be an overlap as large woodland fl oor species In these guides, English names have been used ledges, boulder tops; note: the whitish-green colour numerous lamellae on the upper surface; habitat: all strongly curved in one direction; habitat: ledges, boulder tops; note: easily recognised by smaller, neater and greener than Big Shaggy-moss green in more shaded sites; leaves: branch leaves can cover rocks and the species on rocks and the bases alongside the Latin; these are not ‘common names’ resembling ‘white worms’ and the undulate leaves in damper areas and boggy ground; note: the woodland fl oor, ledges, boulder tops; note: a the large, erect stems and untidy, ‘chaffy’ leaves. (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus), with hooked shoot- are narrowly triangular ; habitat: an abundant of trees are often the same. in the same sense as those for fl owers because they make this an easy moss to recognise. largest of several similar species in the woodlands; beautiful and easily recognisable moss and very tips, and usually in more humid sites, so more and locally dominant plant in more humid Woodland fl oor: on the soil of the woodland fl oor, are all recent inventions and as yet are hardly used also illustrated is Bristly Haircap (Polytrichum characteristic of pinewoods. frequent in the western woods. woodland, in valleys or on N-facing slopes note: species have to compete with fl owering plants and except in publications like this! Latin names should piliferum) a much smaller plant with a white hair other species of Bog-moss may occur in the with the accumulation of leaf litter and so the mosses always be used for recording purposes to avoid any point which grows in drier places like rock tops woodland but this is the most frequent species. here tend to be large and relatively fast-growing. ambiguity. (N.B. the pictures are not to scale). MOSSES LIVERWORTS MOSSES Curve-leaved Bow-moss (Dicranodontium uncinatum) Woolly Fringe-moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum) Key features for identifying Key features for identifying liverworts Mosses Growth form. There are two sorts of liverworts; leafy Growth form. Leaving aside the very distinctive bog- liverworts have a stem and leaves and resemble a mosses (Sphagnum), mosses can be split into two moss, whereas thallose or thalloid liverworts have a groups, acrocarpous and pleurocarpous. There is a simple strap of tissue with no stem or leaves. Leafy technical difference between these two forms but in liverworts can form erect cushions and turfs while some practical terms, acrocarps usually have erect stems are creeping and closely apressed to rock or tree. The and grow in cushions or turfs while pleurocarps tend size of the plant is also important; a number of oceanic to grow with main stems parallel to the ground (or rock liverworts are very, very small. Above - Left: a thallose liverwort, Overleaf Pellia (Pellia Above - Left: acrocarpous Scott’s Fork moss (Dicranum or tree trunk) and form wefts. The often dense growth epiphylla) with fruits; right: a leafy liverwort with round Leaf shape. This is all-important in leafy liverworts and scottianum) ; right: pleurocarpous Larger Mouse-tail form of acrocarps means that their sparse branches leaves, Autumn Flapwort (Jamesoniella autumnalis). is much more variable than in mosses. Liverwort leaves Moss (Isothecium alopecuroides). are obscured while in pleurocarps the branches are can be simple and round, they can be deeply divided into fi laments or into broader lobes, the lobes can be usually many and easily seen. of different sizes and can be bent over or under each Branching. For some of the pleurocarps it is useful other and formed into fl aps or pouches. Many liverworts to note what the pattern of branching looks like. Is also have pronounced teeth on the margin of the leaf, Acrocarpous moss; size: large and usually forming it regular with branches more or less opposite each Oceanic, NS. Acrocarpous moss; size: large and usually visible without a hand lens. Many leafy liverworts also sprawling patches; branching: unlike most acrocarpous other on the main stem (pinnate) or irregular? Are forming loose cushions within the heath; branching: have under-leaves, usually much smaller than the main mosses, there are frequent irregular branches; colour: the regular branches branched again (bi-pinnate) and obscured; colour: usually a shiny, dark green; stem: often leaves, and on the lower side of the stem. reddish; leaves: very narrowly triangular, tapering to a very usually grey when dry and blackish-green when wet; again (tri-pinnate) giving a fern-like structure? stem: green; leaves: narrowly triangular, tapering to a long, Photoset Left - A variety of leafy liverwort leaves, clockwise long, fi ne point which is formed mostly from the broad toothed white ‘hair-point’; habitat: an abundant and locally from top left: Taylor’s Flapwort (Mylia taylori), Prickly Colour. Colour and texture are all-important fi eld nerve; habitat: in lower stands of the heath, especially dominant plant in hilly areas, on rocks and in mire and Featherwort (Plagiochila spinulosa), Ciliated Fringewort characters. Many species have a particular shade, where rocky or below crags; note: two very similar species Above - Irregular branching in Red-stemmed Feather- heath; note: an important and unmistakeable component (Ptilidium ciliare), White earwort (Diplophyllum albicans - admittedly usually of green, which coupled with Beaked Bow-moss (Dicranodontium denudatum) and moss (Pleurozium schreberi) on the left and regular of our upland vegetation and a constant in oceanic heath. note upper lobe bent over the top of the lower and the line tri-pinnate branching in Glittering Wood-moss the structure of stem and leaf, gives a texture which Orange Bow-moss (Dicranodontium asperulum) also occur of longer cells), Common Paw-wort (Barbilophozia fl oerkei), (Hylocomium splendens) on the right; note the red stems. is what the eye picks up from a distance. Another in oceanic heath. Bifi d Crestwort (Lophocolea bidentata), Creeping Fingerwort important colour is that of the main stem; when (Lepidozia reptans), part of stem with ‘fi ngered’ leaves. the leaves are dry they become opaque and it may be necessary to scrape away some leaves with your fi ngernail to see the stem colour. Red Bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium) Skye Bog-moss (Sphagnum skyense) Abbreviations Leaf shape. Moss leaves have a variety of shapes but NR – nationally rare; NS – nationally scarce; RDL – Red Data List 2001; S8 – listed on Schedule 8 of they tend to be variations on the same theme, with the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Oceanic indicates that this is an oceanic species as defi ned by Hill a relatively broad base tapering to a narrower apex. Some leaves are long and narrow and taper to a fi ne and Preston (1998). point, others have a broad triangular shape tapering shortly to a sharp point. Other mosses have leaves with a blunt apex and a few species have round leaves. Further information Another useful character is whether or not the leaves Books are all curved in the same direction (falcate) or bent British Mosses and liverworts: a fi eld guide. British Bryological Society (2010). back from the stem (refl exed or squarrose). Some The fi rst comprehensive colour fi eld guide to bryophytes with good keys and hundreds of photos. leaves also have teeth on the margin, usually visible Mosses and Liverworts; Gordon Rothero (2005). A brief, general introduction to Scottish bryophytes, only with a hand lens. part of the ‘Naturally Scottish’ series published by Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby. Photoset above - A variety of moss-leaf shapes, clockwise Nerve (or costa). A very useful character is whether Bryophytes of native woods – a fi eld guide to common mosses and liverworts of Scotland’s native woods. from top left: Dotted Thyme-moss (Rhizomnium Carol L Crawford (2002), Native Woodlands Discussion Group. A small booklet with good colour photos. the moss leaf has a nerve or not. The nerve (or costa) punctatum), Catherine’s Moss (Atrichum undulatum), Mosses and Liverworts. New Naturalist 97, Porley RD & Hodgetts NG, (2005). Collins. is a thickened rib of tissue running up the centre of Little Shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), Yellow An accessible account of our bryophyte heritage with a good section on woodlands. the leaf which looks like a dark line if the leaf is held Fringe-moss (Racomitrium aciculare), Common Striated The geographical relationships of British and Irish bryophytes; Hill MO & Preston CD (1998). Journal of Bryology, 20: 127-226. against the light and viewed with the hand-lens. It Feather-moss (Eurhynchium striatum), Cypress-leaved Bryophytes of usually extends beyond halfway up the leaf and may Bog-moss; size: medium sized and forming swelling Oceanic, NR. Bog-moss; size: large, twice the size of Information and advice Plait-moss (Hypnum cupressiforme). reach the apex. www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk. The British Bryological Society has an excellent cushions or hummocks of erect stems but in the oceanic Red Bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium), and forming website with useful information on publications, courses, fi eld meetings and lots of pictures. heath usually as a loose turf under the heather; branching: loose patches in the turf; branching: a bunch of long Scotland’s oceanic heath www.nwdg.org.uk. The Native Woodland Discussion Group runs courses on Atlantic mosses and liverworts. a bunch of tight branches at the top of the stem (capitulum) branches at the top of the stem (capitulum) giving an Moss or liverwort? and whorls of branches at intervals below; colour: often untidy appearance and whorls of long branches below; Advice and Support red but in the oceanic heath more frequently green with colour: often red or pink but with some variegated green ; Plantlife Scotland can help you in your quest for information and support. Initially this is a tricky question but with a little experience it ceases to be a problem. Thallose liverworts are varying amounts of red; leaves: branch leaves are narrowly leaves: branch leaves are narrowly triangular ; habitat: in Plantlife Scotland, Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG easy but leafy liverworts can be passed over as mosses by the uninitiated. In most mosses the leaves grow all triangular; habitat: an abundant and locally dominant grassy heath and often associated with Juniper Prongwort Tel: +44 (0) 1786 478509 www.plantlife.org.uk [email protected] around the stem but in most liverworts the main leaves are in two ranks down each side of the stem, sometimes plant in hilly areas in both mire and heath; note: other (Herbertus aduncus ssp. hutchinsiae), and Carrington’s © March 2010 ISBN 978-1-907141-23-2 with a line of smaller under-leaves below. Most moss leaves are roughly triangular, wide at the base and narrow species of Sphagnum occur in this community but this is Plantlife Scotland is part of Plantlife International – the Wild Plant Conservation charity, a charitable company limited by guarantee. Featherwort (Plagiochila carringtonii); note: the size, Registered in Scotland (SC038951) and in England and Wales (1059559). Registered company no 3166339. to the apex; few liverworts are like that. Moss leaves never have lobes whereas many leafy liverworts do. Most the most frequent species. colour, long branches and habitat are useful characters; mosses with round leaves have a nerve; no leafy liverworts have a nerve but a few have lines of cells running up outside of the west of Scotland only known from one site in This guide has been written and illustrated for Plantlife Scotland by Gordon Rothero the centre of the leaf. Wales and one in Ireland. British Lichen Society All photos © Gordon Rothero, unless otherwise stated. Cover photo © Laurie Campbell. LIVERWORTS Where to look for the oceanic heath Introduction Lindenberg’s Featherwort Orkney Notchwort Donn’s Notchwort Alpine Notchwort Lesser Whipwort Arch-leaved Whipwort Juniper Prongwort Northern Prongwort This habitat has a patchy distribution from Islay in (Adelanthus lindenbergianus) This Plantlife fi eld guide will help those who want to (Anastrepta orcadensis) (Anastrophyllum donnianum) (Anastrophyllum alpinum) (Bazzania tricrenata) (Bazzania pearsonii) (Herbertus aduncus ssp. hutchinsiae) (Herbertus borealis) the south, up the west coast to Ben Hope, including go a little further in identifying the carpets of mosses hills in the Hebrides with more limited outposts on and liverworts that make our western hills such Orkney and Shetland. There are also isolated stands special places. This guide deals with species making further east on the larger hills extending to the main up Scotland’s oceanic heath, a globally rare plant Cairngorms. Most sites are on N or NE-facing slopes community. from 200m up to 900m where rain falls in excess of What are mosses and liverworts? 200 days in a year. Mosses and liverworts (collectively known as The majority of Scotland’s oceanic heath occurs on bryophytes) are two of the oldest groups of land plants moderate to steep slopes with an aspect from NW and have had millions of years to evolve a variety of through to NE, almost always where there are some species that have colonised almost all habitats apart exposed rocks and frequently where the heath has from the sea. Most have a simple structure with a Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: medium- developed over large block scree. A number of the sized, forming open turfs of erect stems Oceanic. Leafy liverwort; size: medium-sized main stem and more or less frequent branches covered lower level sites are quite grassy, with only residual amongst other bryophytes; colour: usually with slender stems but often forming deep, in leaves. They do not have roots but absorb water amounts of heather but such sites probably represent dark brown but can be brownish green, glossy; dense cushions or large straggling patches; and minerals directly into the (usually) single layer of relicts that were formerly dominated by ericaceous Flagmeier © Maren leaves: rounded and very concave, forming branching: frequent thin branches from cells in the leaves. Most bryophytes are some shade Leafy liverwort; size: medium, usually shrubs and altered by subsequent management. a cup-shape, the apex has a small notch, all Leafy liverwort; size: small but may form large bottom of stem (fl agellae) with tiny leaves of green but the liverworts in Scotland’s oceanic heath growing as an open turf of erect stems Oceanic, NS. Differs from Bazzania Oceanic, NR, RDL. Distinguished from They usually have frequent Juniper Prongwort Oceanic, NR, RDL, S8. Leafy liverwort; Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: leaves turned down in the same direction; cushions or straggling patches; branching: colour: usually a distinctive reddish- orange amongst other bryophytes; colour: often a habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst ericaceous tricrenata in usually forming denser and Herbertus aduncus ssp. hutchinsiae are usually strongly coloured, ranging from yellow and (Herbertus aduncus ssp. hutchinsiae) but only patchy size: medium-sized, forming open turfs of medium-sized, forming open turfs of erect frequent thin branches from bottom of stem colour but can be green or yellow green tinged rather pale green but can be a dull yellow or shrubs, in block scree or at the base of crags on with red; leaves: triangular but deeply divided by its usually bright orange colour, the orange, through to reds and purples, to almost black. stands of other species. The higher sites, where neat, erect stems amongst other bryophytes; stems amongst other bryophytes; colour: (fl agellae) pale with tiny leaves colour: usually more ‘succulent-looking’ patches, the base brown, frequently has red gemmae at the N and NE-facing slopes; note: almost always into two long, pointed lobes, usually all turned more regularly curved and asymmetric blaeberry is dominant and where Donn’s Notchwort colour: usually dark brown but can be usually dark brown but can be brownish mid-green but can be yellowish; leaves: of the leaves widely crossing the stem when What is Scotland’s oceanic heath? stem apex; leaves: rounded but irregular with Donn’s Notchwort (Anastrophyllum in the same direction underleaves: similar in leaves, smaller underleaves and by the (Anastrophyllum donnianum) and Alpine Notchwort brownish-green, glossy; leaves: rounded and green, glossy; leaves: rounded-triangular rounded-triangular and asymmetric with three viewed from above; underleaves held away and usually shallowly lobed at the apex, the donnianum) but much less common, easily shape and size to the main leaves; habitat: Oceanic heath is a neglected habitat of global (Anastrophyllum alpinum) can occur, are subject the upper margin incurved towards the stem, but concave so that leaves seem narrow, the small teeth at the narrow apex, often closely from the stem and untoothed. numerous fl agelliferous branches; note: base of the leaf is concave but the upper part confused with it but the cup-shaped leaves on thin peaty soil amongst ericaceous shrubs, importance. Heather and blaeberry are major to long periods of snow-lie which may give some all leaves turned down in the same direction; apex has a small notch, all leaves turned set and overlapping but sometimes widely currently known only from Beinn Eighe, components but what makes oceanic heath special curves away from the stem so that the whole are distinctive – if you are not sure, then it is spaced; underleaves: rounded and held close in block scree or at the base of crags on N and its only European site. protection from frost. habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst heather looks convex; habitat: on thin peaty soil down in the same direction; habitat: on not Anastrophyllum alpinum. Joergensen’s is its ground layer of mosses that only thrive in the the stem, usually with teeth visible at the apex NE-facing slopes, also in heathy woodland on NE-facing slopes; note: superfi cially amongst ericaceous shrubs, in block scree thin peaty soil amongst ericaceous shrubs, Notchwort (Anastrophyllum joergensenii) has and wooded ravines; note: confusion is only oceanic climate of the hills in the west of Scotland. ‘Bryologising’ (lens); habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst similar to Anastrophyllum donnianum and or at the base of crags on N and NE-facing in block scree or at the base of crags on N only recently been described as distinct from ericaceous shrubs, in block scree or at the base possible with the next species or with Straw This ground layer is also home to a diverse fl ora of Although identifying species initially needs a Anastrepta orcadensis but the incurved slopes, also frequent in heathy woodland and and NE-facing slopes; note: the commonest Anastrophyllum alpinum and is diffi cult to of crags on N and NE-facing slopes; note: This Prongwort (Herbertus stramineus), another large leafy liverworts that have a highly restricted modicum of determination, it is possible to quite upper leaf margin is unique; currently known wooded ravines; note: generally common in species of this community at higher separate from it; it is smaller, usually forms is a widespread species not limited to this oceanic species but one which favours more global distribution. These rare liverwort species quickly become familiar with most of the indicator from just one site on Islay. the west and also frequent in this community. altitudes and locally abundant. denser turfs and may occur in damper sites. community but frequent in it. base-rich sites. normally occur alongside more common species, such species for Scotland’s oceanic heath. The lower as Woolly Fringe-moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum), stands of this community have the virtue of being Wood’s Whipwort Taylor’s Flapwort (Mylia taylori) Carrington’s Featherwort Prickly Featherwort Purple Spoonwort Western Earwort Cloud Earwort Bird’s-foot Earwort Red Bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium) and available all the year round and grow in really nice (Mastigophora woodsii) (Plagiochila carringtonii) (Plagiochila spinulosa) (Pleurozia purpurea) (Scapania gracilis) (Scapania nimbosa) (Scapania ornithopodioides) more widespread liverworts like Taylor’s Flapwort places. Though some of the species are very distinct, (Mylia taylori) and Orkney Notchwort (Anastrepta even from some metres away, the process and the orcadensis). enjoyment will be enhanced if you get used to using This habitat is also known as ‘Scottish liverwort heath’, a hand-lens (at least x10) to reveal the fi ner features the ‘Northern hepatic mat’ or the ‘oceanic-montane on which identifi cation sometimes depends. In the heath’. descriptions, where a lens is necessary it is indicated by (lens). Remember, hand-lens to the eye and move Why is Scotland’s oceanic heath important? the plant into focus. Oceanic heath is globally rare. In Europe, it is only In these guides, English names have been used well-developed in Western Scotland, western Ireland alongside the Latin; these are not ‘common names’ and, to a much more limited extent, in SW Norway. in the same sense as those for fl owers because they Globally, some of the same species occur in a similar are all recent inventions and as yet are hardly used Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: medium- community above the tree line in the Sino-Himalaya except in publications like this! Latin names should and North-west America. sized but often forming large cushions or always be used for recording purposes to avoid any patches; branching: irregular but frequent, Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: medium Most of the constituent liverwort species have a ambiguity. the branches tending to narrow towards the sized, usually in small patches mixed with Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: remarkably disjunct global distribution. For example end colour: usually some shade of yellow Oceanic. Leafy liverwort; size: medium other bryophytes and only rarely forming Leafy liverwort; size: medium to large, Oceanic, NS. Leafy liverwort; size: medium- Oceanic. Leafy liverwort; size: medium- Oceanic. Leafy liverwort; size: medium medium to large, usually in small patches Cloud Earwort (Scapania nimbosa), also occurs in W but may be variegated green or brownish; to large forming loose turfs or straggling large pure patches; colour: usually a purplish- usually in large swelling cushions; colour: sized but often forming large cushions or sized but often forming large cushions or sized but often forming large cushions or mixed with other bryophytes and only Ireland (rare), SW Norway (one site) Nepal, Sikkim and leaves: two lobes, the upper larger than the through other bryophytes; colour: usually red, rarely reddish-green or orange; leaves: variable, in unshaded places it often purplish- patches with erect stems; colour: pale or extensive pure patches; colour: yellow- or extensive pure patches; colour: a rather rarely forming large pure patches; colour: Yunnan. The community is also so limited in its UK lower but the most noticeable feature is the red variegated with yellow and brown, usually yellow-green, often whitish when dry; leaves: mid-green; leaves: rounded but upper a distinctive dark reddish-purple but can be dull yellow- or brownish-green; leaves: two two lobed and the lobes divided almost to margin which has lots of long narrow teeth the base, the smaller upper lobe bent fl at usually a characteristic ‘liver’ red colour; distribution that most species are nationally scarce green in shade; leaves: large and round, often round and placed vertically on the stem so margin rather straight and running down yellow- or brownish-green in shade; leaves: lobed but with the upper lobe bent over the (cilia) easily visible with a lens underleaves: complex, bilobed with a smaller, almost over the lower and both lobes tapering to a leaves: two lobed and the lobes divided to and some are nationally rare. Northern Prongwort pressed together at the apex and with very that the upper faces are pressed against the stem (decurrent) in a slight curve, apex lower and upper part bent back so it stands similar in shape to the main leaves but much tubular, upper lobe over a large concave rounded apex, margin with long curved teeth the base, the smaller upper lobe bent fl at (Herbertus borealis) is limited to just one site in large cells (lens); habitat: on thin peaty soil each other so the shoots look fl attened, the and lower margin with spine-like teeth, up from the stem, margin usually strongly smaller; habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst lower lobe; habitat: on thin peaty soil (lens); habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst over the lower and both lobes tapering to a Europe on Beinn Eighe and Lindenberg’s Featherwort amongst ericaceous shrubs, in block scree upper margin running down the stem where it ericaceous shrubs, in block scree or at the aromatic when crushed and inrolled when amongst ericaceous shrubs, in block scree toothed (lens); habitat: on thin peaty soil ericaceous shrubs, in block scree or at the rounded apex, margin with straight teeth or at the base of crags on N and NE-facing (Adelanthus lindenbergianus) has one site on Islay base of crags on N and NE-facing slopes, joins (decurrent); habitat: on thin peaty soil dry; habitat: on rocks and trees in shaded or at the base of crags on N and NE-facing amongst ericaceous shrubs, in block scree, base of crags on N and NE-facing slopes; note: (lens); habitat: on thin peaty soil amongst slopes, also frequent in heathy woodland and (elsewhere in Europe only in W Ireland). We are still also occasionally in heathy woodland and amongst ericaceous shrubs, in block scree habitats in the west and common in the slopes, in wet heath, on blanket bog, also in on acidic rocks and trees; note: a common easily distinguished from Bird’s-foot Earwort ericaceous shrubs, in block scree or at the wooded ravines; note: a handsome liverwort, fi nding out more about this remarkable community, wooded ravines; note: confusion only possible or at the base of crags on N and NE-facing oceanic heath community. heathy woodland and wooded ravines; Note: western species often present and locally (Scapania ornithopodioides), with which it base of crags on N and NE-facing slopes, with molecular work revealing two new species in the with Ciliated Fringewort (Ptilidium ciliare), generally common in the west and also slopes, also occasionally in heathy woodland Unmistakeable, frequent in this community abundant in stands of Scotland’s oceanic usually grows, by the colour and long, curved also occasionally in heathy woodland and past few years. a species of drier heaths which has shorter, frequent in this community. and wooded ravines. but also abundant in wet heath and mires. heath at lower levels. teeth on the leaves. wooded ravines. blunt branches.