Typical bryophyte mat in late snow area on Ben Lawers summit area, with Nardia scalaris and Anthelia juratzkana
Herbertus stramineus
An Stuc
Meall Corranaich
Although nationally a very uncommon liverwort, H.stramineus is locally common on the Lawers hills at high altitude, especially on the SW crags on Ben Lawers and on An Stuc.
On first inspection, it resembles a robust brownish moss, but close inspection of the leaves shows its true identity as a leafy liverwort. On exposed, damp calcareous crags, this species can cover extensive areas.
On first inspection, it resembles a robust brownish moss, but close inspection of the leaves shows its true identity as a leafy liverwort. On exposed, damp calcareous crags, this species can cover extensive areas.
Bazzania tricrenata
E corrie of Ben Lawers
More typically a liverwort of oceanic, heathy habitats, B.tricrenata can be found in similar, dry, acidic places high up on Ben Lawers. Here it accompanies other liverworts, such as Barbilophozia floerkii, on exposed monatne slopes.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Pleurocladula albescens
The Crater, Ben Lawers
Very much an arctic-alpine specialist of late snow areas, Pleurocladula is a greyish-green, mat-forming species. It is found on gritty, damp, acidic soil, where it grows with other cold-demanding species.
The photos is far from great. A closer inspection of the species under a microscope will reveal concave, deeply-divided leaves and very large, lobed underleaves.
Nationally, this species is only known from high altitudesin the Scottish mountains.
The photos is far from great. A closer inspection of the species under a microscope will reveal concave, deeply-divided leaves and very large, lobed underleaves.
Nationally, this species is only known from high altitudesin the Scottish mountains.
Odontoschisma elongatum
On the Lawers hills, this very small, dark liverwort is a typical resident of mountain flushes, where it resembles Nardia scalaris, but that species does not occur in flushes and has conspicuous underleaves.
Under a microscope, the dark borders to each leaf cell are easy to see, as is the lack of a border of smaller cells on each leaf.
O.elongatum is relatively frequent in flushes on the NNR, but is rare in central Scotland as a whole, being most common in the north-west. Away from Ben Lawers, this species is found on loch margins - its second distinctive habitat.
The related O.macounii is unknown from the NNR, despite being a mica-schist specialist, but occurs close-by on Beinn Heasgarnich.
Under a microscope, the dark borders to each leaf cell are easy to see, as is the lack of a border of smaller cells on each leaf.
O.elongatum is relatively frequent in flushes on the NNR, but is rare in central Scotland as a whole, being most common in the north-west. Away from Ben Lawers, this species is found on loch margins - its second distinctive habitat.
The related O.macounii is unknown from the NNR, despite being a mica-schist specialist, but occurs close-by on Beinn Heasgarnich.
Anthelia julacea
Anthelia julacea is a species of permanently wet, acidic habitats and is commonly seen on flushed rock slabs in areas where snow lies late in the year.
In these habitats on the Lawers range it is often associated with purple forms of Marsupella emarginata, Blindia acuta and orange Sphagnum denticulatum.
In these habitats on the Lawers range it is often associated with purple forms of Marsupella emarginata, Blindia acuta and orange Sphagnum denticulatum.
Anthelia juratzkana
Although superficially similar to Anthelia julacea, A.juratzkana is fairly easy to recognise when encountered, given its smaller size. Another very useful field character is that it is never found in the permanently wet habitats favoured by its relative.
A.juratzkana is a species of bare soil on mountain summit areas where it forms part of the late-snow liverwort crust community. Frequent associates on the Lawers range are Marsupella condensata, Blindia acuta, Diplophyllum taxifolium and various lichen species.
A.juratzkana is a species of bare soil on mountain summit areas where it forms part of the late-snow liverwort crust community. Frequent associates on the Lawers range are Marsupella condensata, Blindia acuta, Diplophyllum taxifolium and various lichen species.
Orthocaulis floerkii (syn. Barbilophozia floerkii)
microscopic view of detached leaf, showing cilia at base
The most common Barbilophozia on the Lawers hills, B.floerkii is found on acidic schist boulders and outcrops, often with Polytrichum spp. and Racomitrium lanuginosum. It also occurs in snowbed habitats, where it is often much smaller.
It is typically more orange in colour than B.lycopodioides, which also occurs in much more sheltered habitats.
It is typically more orange in colour than B.lycopodioides, which also occurs in much more sheltered habitats.
Barbilophozia lycopodioides
Unlike B.floerkii above, this species is a strict calcicole and has a very limited distribution in Britain, although it is a frequent and common bryophyte in the Alps and northern Europe. On the Lawers hills, it tends to be rather inconspicuous, growing in the shelter of larger plants rather than out in the open, and often on ground that is not especially base-rich.
Microscopically , B.lycopodioides is relatively easy to identify, thanks to the long-celled cilia on the leaf bases. The only species that it is likely to be confused with is the very similar B.hatcheri, which usually has gemmae and the antical (lower) margin of each leaf does not cross more than half of the stem. B.hatcheri is recorded from the NNR, although the most recent record is from the early 1990s.
Microscopically , B.lycopodioides is relatively easy to identify, thanks to the long-celled cilia on the leaf bases. The only species that it is likely to be confused with is the very similar B.hatcheri, which usually has gemmae and the antical (lower) margin of each leaf does not cross more than half of the stem. B.hatcheri is recorded from the NNR, although the most recent record is from the early 1990s.
Lophozia opacifolia
Resembling a high-altitude version of Lophozia ventricosa, L.opacifolia has typically ghostly-pale leaves and grows very close to the ground as mats on compact soil, often in late snow areas.
Lophozia sudetica
specimen from Meall Corranaich
L.sudetica is a fairly common species in the Scottish mountains, and occurs on the Lawers hills in late snow areas and on schist outcrops, where the specimen shown here was found. It is the only record from Meall Corranaich, but there is no reason to think the species is not widespread there.
This species is one of the easier Lophozias to identify, as typical forms have only shallowly-bilobed leaves with a lunate sinus (as shown here) and strongly-pigmented gemmae (brown or red) and the cell bodies appear circular due to the well-developed trigones around them.
This species is one of the easier Lophozias to identify, as typical forms have only shallowly-bilobed leaves with a lunate sinus (as shown here) and strongly-pigmented gemmae (brown or red) and the cell bodies appear circular due to the well-developed trigones around them.
Saccobasis polita (syn. Tritomaria polita)
Beinn Ghlas
This somewhat inconspicuous liverwort is one of the classic species of the Breadalbane Mountains, of which the Lawers hills form the crowning glory. Almost the entire British population of this species is found in the Breadalbanes, with another stronghold in the Cairngorms.
As a species, S.polita is instantly recognisable as a Tritomaria (/Saccobasis!), but it does look very different to T.quinquedentata. It is significantly smaller and has obviously rounded leaf lobes, quite unlike the angular ones of its common cousin.
S.polita is a species of calcareous flushes on the Lawers hills, but also grows on wet rock ledges.
As a species, S.polita is instantly recognisable as a Tritomaria (/Saccobasis!), but it does look very different to T.quinquedentata. It is significantly smaller and has obviously rounded leaf lobes, quite unlike the angular ones of its common cousin.
S.polita is a species of calcareous flushes on the Lawers hills, but also grows on wet rock ledges.
Tritomaria quinquedentata
Creag an Lochain
This widespread liverwort is very common on damp, calcareous ledges on all the Lawers hills, where it often forms a characteristic association with Anoectangium aestivum.
The species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Mylia taylori
E corrie of Ben Lawers
A typical liverwort of dry, humid, upland sites, Mylia taylori can be found amongst block scree in the Lawers hills. It is not an overly common sight here, perhaps because few of the slopes have block scree, rather than because the species should be rare here.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Jungermannia eucordifolia (syn. J. cordifolia ssp.exsertifolia)
The most robust of the British Jungermannias, this species is common in acidic flushes at moderate altitudes on the Lawers hills. It tends to have a dark purple colour, although in other areas of the country it is more green.
As a speces it is unmistakable when robust, although small forms can be very difficult to separate from J.atrovirens.
As a speces it is unmistakable when robust, although small forms can be very difficult to separate from J.atrovirens.
Nardia scalaris
Superficially, this very common little liverwort resembles one of the small Jungermannias, but it is easily recognised by the prominent underleaves, which stick out from the stems like two short, curved pegs. It tends to grow as dense patches of yellow-green translucent stems directly on soil.
N.scalaris is very common in snowbed habitats on Ben Lawers, where it is often the dominant species, along with Gymnomitrion concinnatum and Barbilophozia floerkii.
N.scalaris is very common in snowbed habitats on Ben Lawers, where it is often the dominant species, along with Gymnomitrion concinnatum and Barbilophozia floerkii.
Marsupella condensata
Ben Lawers summit ridge
This very rare liverwort is found at the highest altitudes on Ben Lawers, where it can be locally common in the dense bryophyte mats in late snow areas near the summit. The Ben Lawers populations are the most southerly in Britain.
Unlike several other very small, alpine Marsupellas, this species is fairly easy to identify microscopically, as the leaves have a very distinctively-shaped sinus at the tips - a shallow, semicircular notch, creating a pointed lobe on each side.
Unlike several other very small, alpine Marsupellas, this species is fairly easy to identify microscopically, as the leaves have a very distinctively-shaped sinus at the tips - a shallow, semicircular notch, creating a pointed lobe on each side.
Marsupella emarginata
with Lophozia opaciflolia
M.emarginata is a common species on the Lawers hills, where it often grows on flushed, acidic rock slabs with Sphagnum denticulatum. Here, it occurs as a vivid purple plant, quite unlike the deep green plants common in more lowland habitats.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Marsupella sprucei
Ben Lawers
One of several very small Marsupellas that are found in the snowbed communities on the Lawers hills, M.sprucei really needs microscopical examination to confirm its identity.
As a species, it is most similar to M.adusta, but the two differ in the shape of the leaf lobes, which are acute in sprucei and rounded with a shallow sinus in adusta. All other alpine Marsupellas found on the Lawers hills are dioicous - the paroicous nature of sprucei and adusta can be conformed by dissecting fertile shoots under a microscope.
M.sprucei is more frequently recorded than M.adusta, but both species are easily overlooked and not always simple to identify. The former is recorded from Ben Lawers and the Tarmachans but M.adusta is only recorded from Ben Lawers.
As a species, it is most similar to M.adusta, but the two differ in the shape of the leaf lobes, which are acute in sprucei and rounded with a shallow sinus in adusta. All other alpine Marsupellas found on the Lawers hills are dioicous - the paroicous nature of sprucei and adusta can be conformed by dissecting fertile shoots under a microscope.
M.sprucei is more frequently recorded than M.adusta, but both species are easily overlooked and not always simple to identify. The former is recorded from Ben Lawers and the Tarmachans but M.adusta is only recorded from Ben Lawers.
Gymnomitrion concinnatum
Meall Corranaich
Much the commonest Gymnomitrion on the Lawers hills, this species is found on damp crags, where it forms small patches of greenish-white stems, superficially resembling mosses such as Anomobryum or Myurella.
The species is also abundant in dense liverwort mats where snow lies late on the summit ridges of the NNR, where it often occurs intergrown with Nardia spp, Anthelia juratzkana and Marsupella spp.
Close inspection shows the appressed, two-lobed leaves to have acute apices, instantly distinguishing it from G.obtusum (see below).
in habitat, Ben Lawers
The species is also abundant in dense liverwort mats where snow lies late on the summit ridges of the NNR, where it often occurs intergrown with Nardia spp, Anthelia juratzkana and Marsupella spp.
Close inspection shows the appressed, two-lobed leaves to have acute apices, instantly distinguishing it from G.obtusum (see below).
in habitat, Ben Lawers
Gymnomitrion obtusum
Image coming soon
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Gymnomitrion coralloides
Creag Loisgte, Ben Lawers
Very similar in the field to G. obtusum, this rare species can be recognised by its flattened shoots. Micropscopically, the leaves are completely smooth and lack the minutely papillose surface of G. obtusum.
In Britain, G. coralloides is almost exclusively a Scottish plant (one site is known in Northern Ireland). It is locally common in the Lawers hills, where it can form large, pale grey cushions on exposed schist outcrops.
in habitat
In Britain, G. coralloides is almost exclusively a Scottish plant (one site is known in Northern Ireland). It is locally common in the Lawers hills, where it can form large, pale grey cushions on exposed schist outcrops.
in habitat
Diplophyllum albicans
A ubiquitous liverwort of acidic crevices throughout upland areas of Britain, D.albicans is similarly frequent on the Lawers range, where it occurs up to the highest altitudes. It is worth checking specimens from high elevations for the much rarer D.taxifolium (see below).
Diplophyllum taxifolium
The rare, montane cousin of D.albicans, this species is exclusively found at high altitude. Despite this, and given its calcifuge habitat requirements, it is still a rare plant in the Scottish Highlands, where the entire British population is found.
D.taxifolium is not noticeably more 'yew-like' than its common cousin, despite its name. The key character to look for is the lack of a vitta (a band of linear cells forming a clear line in the centre of the leaf). These long cells are present in D.taxifolium, but not sharply differentiated from the surrounding cells. Both species commonly occur intermixed, so careful checking of plants is needed.
On the NNR, this species is only recorded from Ben Lawers itself, although it could easily be overlooked elsewhere.
D.taxifolium is not noticeably more 'yew-like' than its common cousin, despite its name. The key character to look for is the lack of a vitta (a band of linear cells forming a clear line in the centre of the leaf). These long cells are present in D.taxifolium, but not sharply differentiated from the surrounding cells. Both species commonly occur intermixed, so careful checking of plants is needed.
On the NNR, this species is only recorded from Ben Lawers itself, although it could easily be overlooked elsewhere.
Scapania aequiloba
S face of An Stuc, above Lochan nan Cat
text coming soon
Scapania cuspiduligera
Ben Lawers
This little liverwort is often only spotted when its brown gemmae are noticed. This is a useful feature, as in other respects it is similar to S.scandica and other small members of the genus, although unlike its common cousin, it grows exclusively in base-rich habitats.
S.cuspiduligera is well-recorded from Ben Lawers but careful examination is needed to distinguish it from two very simiilar montane species with brown gemmae, which also occur on the Lawers hills. S.calcicola has toothed leaf margins and subtle features of the leaf lobe bases, oil bodies and gemmae. S,gymnostomophila has most leaves containing a single, large oil body and leaf lobes of very different sizes, unlike other small Scapanias.
S.cuspiduligera is well-recorded from Ben Lawers but careful examination is needed to distinguish it from two very simiilar montane species with brown gemmae, which also occur on the Lawers hills. S.calcicola has toothed leaf margins and subtle features of the leaf lobe bases, oil bodies and gemmae. S,gymnostomophila has most leaves containing a single, large oil body and leaf lobes of very different sizes, unlike other small Scapanias.
Scapania subalpina
below Creag an Lochain
This species is characterised by having its leaf lobes more or less equally-sized, with the postical one having a long-decurrent base. The leaf lobes also have a distinctive border of smaller cells with thick walls. It typically grows on gravelly substrates where drainage is good but is it regularly kept wet.
The plants photographed here were growing by a track near Lochan na Larige, at the base of the great crag of Creag an Lochain. The colour is not entirely typical of the species - it is just as commonly-seen as yellow-orange, green or brown plants. It appears to have a restricted distribution on the NNR (or is perhaps under-recorded), with the NBN citing records from Ben Lawers (especially the SW crags) and here, near Creag an Lochain.
The plants photographed here were growing by a track near Lochan na Larige, at the base of the great crag of Creag an Lochain. The colour is not entirely typical of the species - it is just as commonly-seen as yellow-orange, green or brown plants. It appears to have a restricted distribution on the NNR (or is perhaps under-recorded), with the NBN citing records from Ben Lawers (especially the SW crags) and here, near Creag an Lochain.
Scapania undulata
The commmonest Scapania in Britain, and certainly the cmmonest on the Lawers hills, this liverwort is a very frequent and conspicuous part of the acidic flush vegatation that occurs across the NNR. Here, it is seen as fairly robust, purple plants, quite unlike smaller woodland forms that are common in many parts of Britain.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Plagiochila porelloides
This widespread species is the only Plagiochila to occur commonly on the NNR. It is found on damp, base-rich crags, where it occurs with a wide vaiety of mosses. The very similar P.britannica is also recorded from the SW crags on Ben Lawers.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
This species is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Radula lindenbergiana
The Crater, Ben Lawers
Ordnance Ravine, Ben Lawers
This largely montane species is very much the high-altitude counterpart of the widespread lowland species, R.complanata. At high altitudes (above 800m or so) this is the only species present, making identification easy. The biggest difference is that R.lindenbergiana is only very rarely seen fruiting - R.complanata very often has distinctive perianths which are easy to see.
Radula lindenbergiana is not uncommon on base-rich exposures in the summit area of Ben Lawers.
Radula lindenbergiana is not uncommon on base-rich exposures in the summit area of Ben Lawers.
Ptilidium ciliare
E corrie of Ben Lawers
Frullania tamarisci
lower W slope of Beinn Ghlas
This beautiful, robust Frullania species is relatively common on exposed calcareous rocks on the Lawers range, where it occurs with a wide range of species. No other Frullania on the Lawers range is ever as robust, making identification easy.
Lejeunea patens
Image coming soon!
Text coming soon!
Moerckia blyttii
plants with sporophytes, with Conostomum tetragonum
with Nardia scalaris in late snow area, Ben Lawers (all photos)
This small liverwort resembles a small lettuce embedded in typical late-snow bryophyte mats at the highest altitudes on the Ben Lawers NNR. The two other British Moerckia species are similar, but never found at such high altitudes, and are unrecorded from the Lawers hills.
M.blyttii is has a very restricted range in Britain and occurs exclusively in areas of late snow lie. As such, it is species very much under threat from climate change. All British populatuons are in the Scottish Highlands.
M.blyttii is has a very restricted range in Britain and occurs exclusively in areas of late snow lie. As such, it is species very much under threat from climate change. All British populatuons are in the Scottish Highlands.
Aneura pinguis
A common liverwort of base-rich flushes and seeping rocks, Aneura pinguis is a fairly common sight on the Lawers range.
It can be distinguished from Riccardia species sometimes found in flushes by the calcareous habitat and sparsely-branched, wider thalli.
It can be distinguished from Riccardia species sometimes found in flushes by the calcareous habitat and sparsely-branched, wider thalli.
Riccardia sp
N corrie of Beinn Ghlas
text coming soon
Marchantia quadrata (syn. Preissia quadrata)
Where dripping, exposed calcareous schist is exposed in the Lawers hills, Marchantia can be expected. Its glaucous appearance helps to distinguish it from Aneura, which also grows in more permanently wet, marshy sites.
Preissia is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Preissia is described in more detail in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.