Douinia ovata
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
This tiny Scapania relative is a classic resident of humid birch woodland on Scotland's west coast, although it is also found as far east as the Cairngorms. It is a very, very inconspicuous species - I only noticed these plants while trying to photograph something else! The leaves are no more than a millimetre long.
Douinia has characteristically opaque leaves and stems - in fact it looks like an entirely-opaque, pale green Scapania, betraying its family alliance. This makes it easily-recognised, once seen. It's the seeing it that's the tricky part!
Douinia is widespread in the oceanic west of Scotland but also occurs widely in the Cairngorms.
Douinia has characteristically opaque leaves and stems - in fact it looks like an entirely-opaque, pale green Scapania, betraying its family alliance. This makes it easily-recognised, once seen. It's the seeing it that's the tricky part!
Douinia is widespread in the oceanic west of Scotland but also occurs widely in the Cairngorms.
Scapania scandica
Falls of Leny, Callander, Trossachs
Scapania scandica is a common, pioneer member of the genus, often found in open, gravelly habitats or on damp rock faces. The plants are small and typically have pale green gemmae on the tips of the shoots. These shoots are rather flattened, unlike the more robust Scapanias.
S.scandica is worth investigating microscopically as soon as possible after collection, as it has four very similar close cousins which are much rarer: S.curta, S.lingulata, S.praetervisa and S.parvifolia. S.scandica has marginal leaf cells with consistently thickened cell walls, unlike the other four. S.curta has a characteristic distribution of oil bodies (hence the need for early examination after collection), S.lingulata has larger leaf cells, S.praetervisa differs in a variety of subtle characters and S.parvifolia has distinctively thickened cell walls throughout the leaves. All four of these rare cousins occur in Scotland, but only S.lingulata is widespread.
S.scandica is worth investigating microscopically as soon as possible after collection, as it has four very similar close cousins which are much rarer: S.curta, S.lingulata, S.praetervisa and S.parvifolia. S.scandica has marginal leaf cells with consistently thickened cell walls, unlike the other four. S.curta has a characteristic distribution of oil bodies (hence the need for early examination after collection), S.lingulata has larger leaf cells, S.praetervisa differs in a variety of subtle characters and S.parvifolia has distinctively thickened cell walls throughout the leaves. All four of these rare cousins occur in Scotland, but only S.lingulata is widespread.
Scapania aequiloba
Glen Shee, Cairngorms
This species is described in the Liverworts of Ben Lawers section of the site.
S. aequiloba is fairly widespread in Scotland but only occurs in areas with calcareous rock.
S. aequiloba is fairly widespread in Scotland but only occurs in areas with calcareous rock.
Scapania aspera
Morrone Birkwood SSSI, Braemar
This species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Like its close cousin, S. aequiloba, this species is widespread in Scotland but requires base-rich substrates, so is absent from areas with unsuitable rock types.
Like its close cousin, S. aequiloba, this species is widespread in Scotland but requires base-rich substrates, so is absent from areas with unsuitable rock types.
Scapania gracilis
Glen Loin SSSI, Arrochar
This species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
North of the Central Belt, this oceanic species is very widespread in the western half of the country. Further east, its occurrence is much more patchy. This pattern is also followed in the Southern Uplands.
North of the Central Belt, this oceanic species is very widespread in the western half of the country. Further east, its occurrence is much more patchy. This pattern is also followed in the Southern Uplands.
Scapania degenii
Cairnwell SSSI, Cairngorms
Nearly the entire British population of this rare liverwort is in Scotland, especially in the central Highlands. That said, I have described it in more detail in the Bryophytes of the Lake District section of the site, as I first saw this special plant in Teesdale, one of only two 10km squares in England where it is known.
My sincere thanks go to Dr David Long, who confirmed the identity of the specimens in these photos.
My sincere thanks go to Dr David Long, who confirmed the identity of the specimens in these photos.
Scapania undulata
Hidden Valley, Glencoe
Resipol ravine, Sunart
Britain's commonest Scapania is easily seen in Scotland and occurs in a variety of habitats, from damp woodland boulders to open, acidic montane flushes. Similarly, the colour can range from pale yellowish-green, to dark green to purple.
Like many Scapanias, identification can be difficult, especially as S.undulata is very variable - in fact, some researchers suspect it may be a complex of several undescribed species (D.Long, personal communication).
Typical S.undulata has non-decurrent antical leaf lobes, only weakly convex leaves and a long, fairly straight keel. It is also often fertile, with typical flat, spade-like perianths. Apart from in base-rich habitats, it is very common and should be one of the first species to look for when identifying mysterious material.
Like many Scapanias, identification can be difficult, especially as S.undulata is very variable - in fact, some researchers suspect it may be a complex of several undescribed species (D.Long, personal communication).
Typical S.undulata has non-decurrent antical leaf lobes, only weakly convex leaves and a long, fairly straight keel. It is also often fertile, with typical flat, spade-like perianths. Apart from in base-rich habitats, it is very common and should be one of the first species to look for when identifying mysterious material.
Scapania nemorea
Falls of Leny, Callander, Trossachs
This common woodland liverwort is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District section of the site.
In Scotland, this species is especially abundant in humid woodland. It is most common in the west, but is recorded from many areas of the country.
In Scotland, this species is especially abundant in humid woodland. It is most common in the west, but is recorded from many areas of the country.
Scapania ornithopodioides
Hidden Valley, Glencoe
One of two large, oceanic Scapanias, this species is a classic member of the oceanic liverwort community of north-western Britain.
S.ornithopodioides has a distinctive red-brown colour, and grows as long stems, creeping through other bryophytes in a range of cool, shaded habitats. When viewed under a hand lens, the toothed leaf margins are easily seen. Those of S.nimbosa, the other large oceanic species, are longer. That species also has keeled, shorter leaves.
Nearly the entire British population of this handsome species occurs in the west of Scotland, with a small disjunct population in the Cairngorms, Outer Hebrides, on Shetland, and a handful of records from the Lake District and Snowdonia.
S.ornithopodioides has a distinctive red-brown colour, and grows as long stems, creeping through other bryophytes in a range of cool, shaded habitats. When viewed under a hand lens, the toothed leaf margins are easily seen. Those of S.nimbosa, the other large oceanic species, are longer. That species also has keeled, shorter leaves.
Nearly the entire British population of this handsome species occurs in the west of Scotland, with a small disjunct population in the Cairngorms, Outer Hebrides, on Shetland, and a handful of records from the Lake District and Snowdonia.
Scapania uliginosa
Image coming soon!
Glas Maol, Cairngorms
Glas Maol, Cairngorms
Text coming soon!
Nearly all the British records for this montane specialist are from Scotland, where it occurs widely in the Highlands.
Nearly all the British records for this montane specialist are from Scotland, where it occurs widely in the Highlands.
Scapania paludosa
Image coming soon!
Glas Maol, Cairngorms
Glas Maol, Cairngorms
Text coming soon!
Much rarer than the closely-related S. uliginosa, this species tends to grow in similar habitats.
In Scotland, S. paludosa is known from around twenty 10km squares, all in the Highlands, except for a disjunct site on Foula in the Shetlands.
Much rarer than the closely-related S. uliginosa, this species tends to grow in similar habitats.
In Scotland, S. paludosa is known from around twenty 10km squares, all in the Highlands, except for a disjunct site on Foula in the Shetlands.
Lophocolea bidentata
Pollochro Wood SSSI, Loch Lomond
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
L. bidentata occurs throughout Scotland, and is often abundant in damp, acidic places.
L. bidentata occurs throughout Scotland, and is often abundant in damp, acidic places.
Chiloscyphus polyanthos
Ariundle Oakwood NNR, Sunart
A common bryophyte of streams and other permanently wet sites, Chiloscyphus polyanthos is fairly easy to recognise, as few other species form mats in these habitats - it is one of our most aquatic leafy liverworts.
This species is very similar to the other British member of the genus, C.pallescens, but the two usually occupy different habitats, with the latter not being a plant of streamsides. It tends to occur on rotting wood, damp soil and stones in woodland.
Morphologically, the two species are very similar and quite variable. The most clear-cut difference is in the shape of the perianth lobes, which are strongly-toothed in pallescens and only very weakly-so, or not at all, in polyanthos.
This species is very similar to the other British member of the genus, C.pallescens, but the two usually occupy different habitats, with the latter not being a plant of streamsides. It tends to occur on rotting wood, damp soil and stones in woodland.
Morphologically, the two species are very similar and quite variable. The most clear-cut difference is in the shape of the perianth lobes, which are strongly-toothed in pallescens and only very weakly-so, or not at all, in polyanthos.
Harpanthus flotovianus
Morrone Birkwood SSSI, Braemar
H.flotovianus is a typical, but not abundant, species of montane base-rich flushes in the Scottish Highlands. It is also known scattered sites in the Southern Uplands and along the far north coast.
It has shallowly-bilobed leaves, like Chiloscyphus species but has distinctive underleaves which appear to have one basal corner attached to the base of a lateral leaf.
It has shallowly-bilobed leaves, like Chiloscyphus species but has distinctive underleaves which appear to have one basal corner attached to the base of a lateral leaf.
Harpanthus scutatus
Glen Nant NNR, Argyll
It's an awful photo, but currently the only one I have of this pale liverwort. It is a species of decaying logs (as here) and shady, damp, non-basic soil, as well as rock outcrops.
H. scutatus can be recognised by its concave, bilobed leaves with acute apices and underleaves that are joined to the main leaves at their base.
H. scutatus is widespread in western Scotland but rarer elsewhere in Britain.
H. scutatus can be recognised by its concave, bilobed leaves with acute apices and underleaves that are joined to the main leaves at their base.
H. scutatus is widespread in western Scotland but rarer elsewhere in Britain.
Saccogyna viticulosa
Ballachuan Hazelwood, Seil, Argyll
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
This attractive liverwort is especially characteristic of damp or humid woodland banks and is widespread in all of western Scotland.
As a species, it is easy to recognise and has a distinctive opaque, slightly waxy appearance and curving stems. Plants often cover fairly extensive areas. The most similar plants are Lophocolea and Chiloscyphus spp. but these never have the opaque, slightly yellowish look of Saccogyna and have different underleaves.
Inversnaid RSPB, Loch Lomond
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
As a species, it is easy to recognise and has a distinctive opaque, slightly waxy appearance and curving stems. Plants often cover fairly extensive areas. The most similar plants are Lophocolea and Chiloscyphus spp. but these never have the opaque, slightly yellowish look of Saccogyna and have different underleaves.
Inversnaid RSPB, Loch Lomond
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
Plagiochila porelloides
Falls of Leny, Callander, Trossachs
Glen Loin SSSI, Arrochar, Argyll
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
P. porelloides occurs across nearly all of Scotland and is an easy species to encounter.
Ballachuan Hazelwood, Seil
Ariundle Oakwood NNR, Sunart
Glen Loin SSSI
P. porelloides occurs across nearly all of Scotland and is an easy species to encounter.
Ballachuan Hazelwood, Seil
Ariundle Oakwood NNR, Sunart
Glen Loin SSSI
Plagiochila spinulosa
Glen Loin SSSI, Arrochar (all photos)
The most widespread of the oceanic Plagiochilas, P.spinulosa is a typical liverwort of oak trunks in humid woodland. It is similar to other small species that occur in the same habitat, but usually easy to recognise on close inspection.
P. spinulosa has leaves with long-decurrent bases and very spiny margins. The similar P. bifaria has a well-defined vitta in the leaves and a straighter insertion line along the stems. P. atlantica has larger, narrower leaves and P. punctata has essentially non-decurrent leaf bases.
In Scotland, P. spinulosa occurs widely in the west, with scattered occurrences in the south-central Highlands and Southern Uplands.
P. spinulosa has leaves with long-decurrent bases and very spiny margins. The similar P. bifaria has a well-defined vitta in the leaves and a straighter insertion line along the stems. P. atlantica has larger, narrower leaves and P. punctata has essentially non-decurrent leaf bases.
In Scotland, P. spinulosa occurs widely in the west, with scattered occurrences in the south-central Highlands and Southern Uplands.
Plagiochila heterophylla
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
As mentioned above, this uncommon oceanic liverwort is similar to P. spinulosa, but is noticeably larger when seen in the field.
In Britain, this species is almost entirely restricted to western Scotland, and in Europe its only other sites are in Brittany (France) and the extreme south-western tip of Ireland. Beyond that, the next-nearest populations are in Mexico!
Older references call this species P. atlantica.
In Britain, this species is almost entirely restricted to western Scotland, and in Europe its only other sites are in Brittany (France) and the extreme south-western tip of Ireland. Beyond that, the next-nearest populations are in Mexico!
Older references call this species P. atlantica.
Plagiochila carringtonii ssp.carringtonii
Hidden Valley, Glencoe
This special oceanic liverwort is almost endemic to Britain, being found only here, the west coast of Ireland and the Faore Islands. The other subspecies is found thousands of miles away in Nepal!
As a species, P. carringtonii is very easy to recognise and looks quite unlike a Plagiochila with its circular leaves and laterally compressed shoots. The only similar-looking species is Nardia compressa, which never occurs in the heathy, humid, rocky habitats of P. carringtonii. In Scotland, P. carringtonii is found in the west and north-west Highlands and a disjuct population in the Cairngorms. It also occurs on Orkney and Shetland.
As a species, P. carringtonii is very easy to recognise and looks quite unlike a Plagiochila with its circular leaves and laterally compressed shoots. The only similar-looking species is Nardia compressa, which never occurs in the heathy, humid, rocky habitats of P. carringtonii. In Scotland, P. carringtonii is found in the west and north-west Highlands and a disjuct population in the Cairngorms. It also occurs on Orkney and Shetland.
Plagiochila punctata
Resipol ravine, Sunart
Glen Loin SSSI, Arrochar
This woodland liverwort is very widespread and common in western Scotland.
See the description of P.spinulosa (above) for diagnostic details of this species.
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
See the description of P.spinulosa (above) for diagnostic details of this species.
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
Pleurozia purpurea
Kentra Moss SSSI, Sunart (3 photos above)
Hidden Valley, Glencoe
One of Britain's most spectacular liverworts, Pleurozia is a classic member of the oceanic heath community, but also occurs on blanket bogs. It is common in north-western Scotland and on Orkney & Shetland but also occurs much more sparingly in the Cairngorms and the Galloway Hills.
The combination of size, colour and long, worm-like stems makes Pleurozia easy to recognise. Despite its widespread occurrence in Scotland, it is a plant I never tire of seeing or photographing.
Pleurozia has a strange distribution: despite being so frequent in Scotland, it is completely absent from similar habitats in England and Wales. Within Europe, it is only found in the Faroe Islands and south-west Norway, with the next-nearest populations many thousands of miles away in the Arctic Ocean, Canada and Asia.
The combination of size, colour and long, worm-like stems makes Pleurozia easy to recognise. Despite its widespread occurrence in Scotland, it is a plant I never tire of seeing or photographing.
Pleurozia has a strange distribution: despite being so frequent in Scotland, it is completely absent from similar habitats in England and Wales. Within Europe, it is only found in the Faroe Islands and south-west Norway, with the next-nearest populations many thousands of miles away in the Arctic Ocean, Canada and Asia.
Radula complanata
Rumbling Bridge, Strathbraan, Perthshire
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Ptilidium ciliare
Morrone Birkwood SSSI, Braemar
This common species is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District section of the site.
P. ciliare is widespread in Scotland, especially at moderate to high altitudes.
P. ciliare is widespread in Scotland, especially at moderate to high altitudes.
Porella arboris-vitae
Ballachuan Hazelwood, Seil
This species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
This species is widespread in the west of Scotland, especially in coastal areas. There are also scattered records from the southern Highlands and Southern Uplands.
This species is widespread in the west of Scotland, especially in coastal areas. There are also scattered records from the southern Highlands and Southern Uplands.
Frullania tamarisci
Glen Loin SSSI, Arrochar
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
F. tamarisci is common throughout Scotland, with the exception of the Central Belt. In the oceanic west, it can be especially luxuriant and impressive.
F. tamarisci is common throughout Scotland, with the exception of the Central Belt. In the oceanic west, it can be especially luxuriant and impressive.
Frullania dilatata
Falls of Falloch, Loch Lomond
Frullania fragilifolia
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
The most widespread of the miniature Frullanias in Britain, this species is named for its habit of shedding leaves when the stems are handled. It occurs on both rocks and trees but is less tolerant of genuinely wet sites than some other members of the genus.
Aside from the readily-detached leaves, the distinctive broad, wedge-shaped underleaves differentiate this species from F.microphylla and F.tamarisci, which are both common in Scotland in similar habitats.
F.fragilifolia is widespread in Scotland but more common in the west.
Aside from the readily-detached leaves, the distinctive broad, wedge-shaped underleaves differentiate this species from F.microphylla and F.tamarisci, which are both common in Scotland in similar habitats.
F.fragilifolia is widespread in Scotland but more common in the west.
Frullania microphylla
with Scapania gracilis, Artilligan SSSI, Argyll
As the name suggests, F.microphylla has very small leaves compared to normal forms of F.dilatata and F.tamarisci, although F.fragilifolia is just as small.
Key characters for recognising this species are its non-deciduous leaves (compared to F.fragilifolia) and much narrower underleaves with a deep sinus.
In Scotland, this species always occurs on damp rocks, not as an epiphyte, and is only found in the west, close to the sea.
Key characters for recognising this species are its non-deciduous leaves (compared to F.fragilifolia) and much narrower underleaves with a deep sinus.
In Scotland, this species always occurs on damp rocks, not as an epiphyte, and is only found in the west, close to the sea.
Jubula hutchinsiae
Resipol ravine, Sunart
Jubula is one of western Britain's classic oceanic liverworts, where it occurs as distinctive mats of greyish stems with slightly ghostly-green tips on wet rocks in humid gorges and permanently splashed streamsides. Under a hand lens, the serrated leaves are easily-seen, and this species cannot really be mistaken for any other.
Scotland marks the north-western limit of this species' distribution in Europe. Here, it is only found along the west coast.
Scotland marks the north-western limit of this species' distribution in Europe. Here, it is only found along the west coast.
Marchesinia mackaii
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia
Sonachan Hazelwood, Ardnamurchan
One of a number of tiny Lejeuneaceae that commonly grow as epiphytes in the most oceanic parts of western Scotland, this species is more frequent on rock in other areas.
Drepanolejeunea differs from similar species in its distinctive Y-shapd underleaves, which are easily seen microscopically.
Drepanolejeunea differs from similar species in its distinctive Y-shapd underleaves, which are easily seen microscopically.
Harpalejeunea molleri
Sonachan Hazelwood, ArdnamurchanThis tiny oceanic species is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District section of the site.
Like other tiny Lejeuneaceae, it is widespread throughout western Scotland, apart from the Southern Uplands, but absent from the rest of the country.
Like other tiny Lejeuneaceae, it is widespread throughout western Scotland, apart from the Southern Uplands, but absent from the rest of the country.
Microlejeunea ulicina
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
This species is the most widespread of the tiny Lejeuneaceae and is the most tolerant of lower humidity, requiring less strictly oceanic conditions. In Scotland, it is very kuch a western species and also occurs on the fringes of the Southern Uplands.
Microlejeunea can be recognised by its pointed leaf tips and U-shaped underleaves. It superficially resembles Cololejeunea minutissima, which occurs in similar habitats, but that species invariably has abundant perianths and lacks underleaves.
Microlejeunea can be recognised by its pointed leaf tips and U-shaped underleaves. It superficially resembles Cololejeunea minutissima, which occurs in similar habitats, but that species invariably has abundant perianths and lacks underleaves.
Lejeunea cavifolia
near Strontian, SunartThis common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Being the least oceanic member of the genus, L. cavifolia is widespread across Scotland, although has a more scattered distribution south of the Central Belt.
Being the least oceanic member of the genus, L. cavifolia is widespread across Scotland, although has a more scattered distribution south of the Central Belt.
Lejeunea lamacerina
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
L. lamacerina is less common on Scotland than L. cavifolia - it is largely restricted to the oceanic west, with only scattered records elsewhere.
L. lamacerina is less common on Scotland than L. cavifolia - it is largely restricted to the oceanic west, with only scattered records elsewhere.
Lejeunea patens
Falls of Leny, Callander, Trossachs
Coire nam Beith, Glencoe
This species is described in the Liverworts of Ben Lawers section of the site.
L. patens can be found throughout western Scotland, as well as in montane sites in the central Highlands. It can also be found at scattered sites in the Southern Uplands.
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
L. patens can be found throughout western Scotland, as well as in montane sites in the central Highlands. It can also be found at scattered sites in the Southern Uplands.
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
Aphanolejeunea microscopica
Resipol ravine, Sunart
This tiny oceanic species is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District section of the site.
The vast majority of known British sites for this species are in Scotland - it is widespread in the western half of the country, with scattered old records from the Southern Uplands.
The vast majority of known British sites for this species are in Scotland - it is widespread in the western half of the country, with scattered old records from the Southern Uplands.
Aneura pinguis
Corrie Fee NNR, Angus
This common species is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
It is very widespread in Scotland and generally absent only from sites too dry for it to grow.
It is very widespread in Scotland and generally absent only from sites too dry for it to grow.
Riccardia palmata
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
Artilligan SSSI, Argyll
R.palmata is a typical species of rotting logs in damp woodland throughout much of western Britain. It has a distinctive habit of growing upright from substrates, rather than forming sprawling stems like the other British Riccardias.
Atypical specimens of R.palmata can have prostrate stems, in which case small details of the leaf cells need to be checked for distinguishing which Riccardia species is present.
R. palmata is especially widespread in western Scotland and forests of the central Highlands, but is rarer elsewhere.
Atypical specimens of R.palmata can have prostrate stems, in which case small details of the leaf cells need to be checked for distinguishing which Riccardia species is present.
R. palmata is especially widespread in western Scotland and forests of the central Highlands, but is rarer elsewhere.
Metzgeria leptoneura
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve, Loch Lomond
Resipol ravine, Sunart
Britain's rarest Metzgeria species is an oceanic species, restricted to constantly humid, sheltered, shaded sites, usually directly on rock. It is widespread in western Scotland, although always a special find, as it usually only occurs in small quantity in any given locality.
In the field, it has a distinctive look, with pale thalli which have strongly recurved margins, which give the plant a narrow, tubular appearance.
Microscopically, M.leptoneura is distinguished by the marginal hairs on the thalli, which are strongly curved and occur mainly in pairs. In section, the nerve down the centre of each thallus is only two cells wide on both surfaces.
In the field, it has a distinctive look, with pale thalli which have strongly recurved margins, which give the plant a narrow, tubular appearance.
Microscopically, M.leptoneura is distinguished by the marginal hairs on the thalli, which are strongly curved and occur mainly in pairs. In section, the nerve down the centre of each thallus is only two cells wide on both surfaces.
Calypogeia muelleriana
Craighoyle Wood SSSI, Cowal
Artilligan SSSI, Argyll
Britain's second commonest Calypogeia is very widespread in Scotland in a variety of acidic habitats.
I've described the species in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
I've described the species in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site.
Blepharostoma trichophylla
Rumbling Bridge, Strathbraan, Perthshire
This tiny liverwort is often only seen when investigating larger patches of moss. It has very distinctive leaves, which are so highly-divided that they resemble pale, spindly hands.
Blepharostoma occurs in mountain flushes and also in lowland ravines and woodlands. Here, by the River Braan in Perthshire, it was growing through a patch of Scapania on a large schist boulder on a river margin.
Blepharostoma occurs in mountain flushes and also in lowland ravines and woodlands. Here, by the River Braan in Perthshire, it was growing through a patch of Scapania on a large schist boulder on a river margin.