Plagiobryum zieri
Ben Lawers
N face of An Stuc
Wherever calcareous rocks are exposed and damp at high altitude in Scotland, this is a species often found. It is similar to Anomobryum but often has a pinkish-red tinge to it, helping with identification.
Microscopic analysis is needed to differentiate it from the very similar relative P. demissum (see below).
Microscopic analysis is needed to differentiate it from the very similar relative P. demissum (see below).
Plagiobryum demissum
Image coming soon!
Ben Lawers
Ben Lawers
In Britain, this close relative of P.zieri is extremely rare, known only from calcareous schist rocks in the central Highlands. The classic difference between the species is in the capsule, but Plagiobryum is frequently infertile in the field. The best feature is under the microscope - in P.demissum there is a clearly excurrent nerve to the leaves.
Even on the Lawers range, P. demissum is extremely rare. I have encountered it only once, high up, near the summit of Ben Lawers, although it also known (more frequently) from the Tarmachans.
Even on the Lawers range, P. demissum is extremely rare. I have encountered it only once, high up, near the summit of Ben Lawers, although it also known (more frequently) from the Tarmachans.
Anomobryum julaceum
This montane calcicole is common on damp, base-rich ledges on the Lawers range. It typically forms patches of silvery-grey worm-like shoots. It can resemble Myurella julacea (see below).
Bryum pseudotriquetrum
This large Bryum is the by far the most common member of the genus on the Lawers NNR. It inhabits flushes, where it grows as reddish-brown swollen hummocks. Unlike many smaller Bryums, it is often sterile but its large size and rather distant leaves down the stem make it easy to recognise.
Bryum elegans
Creag Loisgte, Ben LawersThis base-loving Bryum is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Bryum stirtonii
Ben Lawers
Treated by some as the same species as B. elegans, B. stirtonii has a very different appearance to B. elegans in the field, with spreading leaves. It occurs sparingly on calcareous schist outcrops below Creag Loisgte on Ben Lawers.
Pohlia elongata
An Stuc
This species is one of the few montane members of the genus in Britain. In the field, it is instantly distinctive in having very long-necked capsules (hence the name). It is a plant of damp, acidic rock crevices and is well-recorded from the Lawers hills.
Two varieties are recognised in Britain: var.elongata and var.greenii, the latter much rarer.
Two varieties are recognised in Britain: var.elongata and var.greenii, the latter much rarer.
Pohlia cruda
The glaucous, pale green triangular leaves of this species make it easy to recognise. P.cruda is a mainly upland species which favours base-rich rock ledges, although it will grow in neutral and mildly acidic habitats. Unlike some other species, like P.elongata and P.nutans, cruda seldom bears capsules.
Several other Pohlias are recorded from the Lawers NNR, with P. cruda being probably the most common. The very rare and similar P. obtusifolia is recorded from Ben Lawers but has not been seen since 1929.
Several other Pohlias are recorded from the Lawers NNR, with P. cruda being probably the most common. The very rare and similar P. obtusifolia is recorded from Ben Lawers but has not been seen since 1929.
Pohlia wahlenbergii
Like P. cruda (above), this Pohlia rarely bears capsules. It has glaucous leaves like its cousin, but tends to grow as taller stems and the leaves have a matt appearance - those of P. cruda often show a metallic sheen.
Mnium hornum
Mnium hornum is a very common moss of woodlands and damp, shaded habitats throughout Britain, and is also common on damp crags and in turf on the Lawers hills. Indeed, its abundance can be frustrating when trying to search for some of the rarer Mnium species!
M. hornum is described in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Creag an Lochain
M. hornum is described in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Creag an Lochain
Mnium thomsonii
Creag an Fhithich, Ben Lawers
leaf apex, showing percurrent costa
Of the rarer, montane Mniums, this is by far the most common on the Lawers range.
Mnium thomsonii is frequent on the calcareous outcrops of schist on the Lawers hills, where it grows in sheltered crevices with a host of associates.
even-walled (non-collenchymatous) cells
Mnium thomsonii is frequent on the calcareous outcrops of schist on the Lawers hills, where it grows in sheltered crevices with a host of associates.
even-walled (non-collenchymatous) cells
Mnium spinosum
Ben Lawers
This rare montane Mnium is entirely restricted to the Scottish Highlands in Britain, where it grows in crevices in scree and on sheltered rock ledges, where humidity and temperature remain stable. Superficially, it resembles other Mnium species found in similar habitats, and microscopical characters are essential to identify it. M. spinosum is unique among British species in having it leaf cells arranged in divergent rows.
M. spinosum is never seen in large quantity on the Lawers NNR, but is known from the Tarmachans, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich, Ben Lawers and An Stuc.
M. spinosum is never seen in large quantity on the Lawers NNR, but is known from the Tarmachans, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich, Ben Lawers and An Stuc.
Mnium marginatum var. marginatum
Ben Lawers
It's a terrible habitat photo, but the best I could do for this colony of M.marginatum, which grows in an awkward spot in a recess in block scree below Creag Loisgte.
Identification is best confirmed microscopically, but in the field, good characters are the strongly calcareous habitat and frequent capsules (all other calcicolous Mniums are dioicous and capsules are very rare). Other characters are its decurrent leaves with non-excurrent, untoothed nerves.
Nationally, M.marginatum is the most widespread of the calcicolous Mniums, but on the Lawers NNR the only records are from Ben Lawers and the Tarmachans. Whether this is a true distribution or due to it being an overlooked species is uncertain.
Identification is best confirmed microscopically, but in the field, good characters are the strongly calcareous habitat and frequent capsules (all other calcicolous Mniums are dioicous and capsules are very rare). Other characters are its decurrent leaves with non-excurrent, untoothed nerves.
Nationally, M.marginatum is the most widespread of the calcicolous Mniums, but on the Lawers NNR the only records are from Ben Lawers and the Tarmachans. Whether this is a true distribution or due to it being an overlooked species is uncertain.
Rhizomnium magnifolium
Ben Lawers
This very rare species is described in the Bryophytes of the Maritime Alps section of the site. In Britain, it is entirely restricted to the Scottish Highlands, where it is a species of acidic habitats where snow lies late in the year. On the Lawers NNR, it is known from Ben Lawers and Meall nan Tarmachan.
Aulacomnium palustre
Aulacomnium palustre is a common species on the flushed, lower slopes of the Lawers hills, where it frequently grows with Philonotis fontana and various other bryophytes.
The species is described in more detail in the Mosses of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Mosses of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Bartramia pomiformis
Meall Corranaich
B. pomiformis is not a common on the Lawers hills, in my experience, perhaps becuase it avoids strongly calcareous rocks.
I've described the species in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
I've described the species in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Bartramia ithyphylla
Meall Corranaich
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Conostomum tetragonum
Meall Corranaich
One of the classic snowbed mosses of the Lawers range, C.tetragonum is fairly frequent component of dense, bryophyte-dominated, acidic turf on ridges where snow lies late in the year. It is easy to recognise in the field if one ignores its name - its stems have 5-ranked leaves in the shape of a star. Despite the two photos here, most material I have seen on Ben Lawers was not fruiting.
Philonotis fontana
in habitat, with Sphagnum denticulatum and Polytrichum strictum
This common species is easily encountered in flushes on the slopes of the Lawers hills, as in many parts of Scotland. Its typical habitat (hence the scientific name) is in acidic springheads in the uplands.
Typical P. fontana is fairly easy to recognise, but it is a variable species and can resemble just about any other member of the genus. Fertile material is best for identification - the male bracts have an obtuse or rounded tip, unlike the rarer species, P. calcarea and P. tomentella. The snowbed specialist P. seriata has spirally-arranged leaves and nerves with mamillose cells on the back.
The three rarer species have all been recorded from the Lawers hills, but only very rarely: P.calcarea - once in 1981; P. seriata - only once recently, in 1998; P. tomentella - twice, in 1893 and 1950.
Typical P. fontana is fairly easy to recognise, but it is a variable species and can resemble just about any other member of the genus. Fertile material is best for identification - the male bracts have an obtuse or rounded tip, unlike the rarer species, P. calcarea and P. tomentella. The snowbed specialist P. seriata has spirally-arranged leaves and nerves with mamillose cells on the back.
The three rarer species have all been recorded from the Lawers hills, but only very rarely: P.calcarea - once in 1981; P. seriata - only once recently, in 1998; P. tomentella - twice, in 1893 and 1950.
Breutelia chrysocoma
This beautiful moss (one of my favourites) is not especialy frequent on Ben Lawers but can be encountered in sloping, heathy habitats just about anywhere (although it is often absent in apparently suitable places too).
On Ben Lawers there are several bryophytes more typical of oceanic habitats further west. This is one of them, along with others like Anastrepta orcadensis, that occur on the Lawers range, but are not common anywhere, being at the eastern limit of their climatic range.
On Ben Lawers there are several bryophytes more typical of oceanic habitats further west. This is one of them, along with others like Anastrepta orcadensis, that occur on the Lawers range, but are not common anywhere, being at the eastern limit of their climatic range.
Amphidium lapponicum
When fruiting, the low patches of this montane species resemble pincushions. A.lapponicum is a common species of base-rich rock ledges on the Lawers hills and more frequently-seen here than A.mougeotii, which favours both lower elevations and acidic rocks.
Microscopically, A.lapponicum has opaque, strongly-papillose leaves, unlike A.mougeotii.
Microscopically, A.lapponicum has opaque, strongly-papillose leaves, unlike A.mougeotii.
Amphidium mougeotii
Lawers Burn
This species is described in more detail in the Mosses of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Hedwigia stellata
W slope of Beinn Ghlas
Hedwigia is a rare species on the Lawers hills with recent records only from the Tarmachans. The plants shown here grow on a conspicuous, exposed schist boulder on the western slope of Beinn Ghlas, and perhaps represent a new record.
in habitat
in habitat
Hookeria lucens
image coming soon
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Fontinalis antipyretica
below Lochan nan Cat
This very common aquatic moss can be seen across Britain. It was photographed here in the Lawers Burn, just below Lochan nan Cat.
F.antipyretica is much more widespread than its close cousin F.squamosa. The two are distinguished by the leaf profile: F.antipyretica has strongly-keeled leaves and F.squamosa has curved, concave leaves.
in habitat
F.antipyretica is much more widespread than its close cousin F.squamosa. The two are distinguished by the leaf profile: F.antipyretica has strongly-keeled leaves and F.squamosa has curved, concave leaves.
in habitat
Climacium dendroides
Creag an Fhithich, Ben Lawers
I'm used to seeing this attractive moss in the dales of the Peak District, but it can also be seen at high altitude on Ben Lawers, in its typical habitat of damp, calcareous grassland. These populations must be the highest ones known in Britain.
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Neckera crispa
Thamnobryum alopecurum
Image coming soon!
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
At high altitude on the Lawers hills, Thamnobryum grows in sheltered, damp crevices and tends to be seen as stunted plants, much smaller than typical lowland forms.
At high altitude on the Lawers hills, Thamnobryum grows in sheltered, damp crevices and tends to be seen as stunted plants, much smaller than typical lowland forms.
Pteryginandrum filiforme
Creag an Fhithich, Ben Lawers
Meall Corranaich
This stringy-looking species is fairly widespread on the Lawers hills, but is always a nice find. It forms loose, rather straggly mats on schist crags, where it somewhat resembles a large, yellowish Myurella, albeit with abundant branches.
Heterocladium dimorphum
Ben Lawers
It's an utterly awful photo, but it's the only one I've currently taken of this great rarity. H. dimorphum is a continental species, quite widespread in the Alps, but in Britain it is entirely restricted to the Scottish Highlands where it grows in sheltered, cold sites, usually at high altitude.
Recognising H. dimorphum is relatively straightforward - the concave, ovate leaves somewhat resemble Myurella in the field, but the plants are pinnately-branched, and the stem leaves are larger and squarrose, with longer apices, hence the species name.
Recognising H. dimorphum is relatively straightforward - the concave, ovate leaves somewhat resemble Myurella in the field, but the plants are pinnately-branched, and the stem leaves are larger and squarrose, with longer apices, hence the species name.
Lescuraea patens
Creag an Fhithich
All the Lescuraeas are very rare in Britain, and also on Ben Lawers. L.patens is the most widespread in Britain (but only recorded from around twenty 10km squares) but the rarest on the Lawers hills. It is known from the west and east slopes of Ben Lawers and also from Meall nan Tarmachan and Meall Corranaich.
L.patens is easily-recognised microscopically, where its distinctively-shaped leaf cells with a central papilla distinguish it from other species.
in habitat
L.patens is easily-recognised microscopically, where its distinctively-shaped leaf cells with a central papilla distinguish it from other species.
in habitat
Lescuraea incurvata
Although a common montane calcicole in the Alps, this attractive pleurocarp is very rare indeed in Britain. It has only ever been found in the Scottish Highlands (and one distant, old record from the Borders), with records from only seven 10km squares since 1990 and a similar number pre-1990.
On the Lawers hills, this moss is locally frequent, albeit in small quantity. It has been recorded on all the major craggy peaks, with many records from around Ben Lawers.
Microscopically, it differs from L.patens in having shorter leaf cells with a papilla on the end, rather than in the middle. The leaves also characteristically curve in one direction when moist. The closely-related L.saxicola is believed to be extinct in Britain. It was well-recorded from Ben Lawers in the 19th century and last seen in 1911. I live in hope of finding it again one day...
On the Lawers hills, this moss is locally frequent, albeit in small quantity. It has been recorded on all the major craggy peaks, with many records from around Ben Lawers.
Microscopically, it differs from L.patens in having shorter leaf cells with a papilla on the end, rather than in the middle. The leaves also characteristically curve in one direction when moist. The closely-related L.saxicola is believed to be extinct in Britain. It was well-recorded from Ben Lawers in the 19th century and last seen in 1911. I live in hope of finding it again one day...
Lescuraea plicata (syn. Ptychodium plicatum)
Ben Lawers
This is an enigmatic species for me, being one if only ever come across by accident, despite looking for it frequently. Under a microscope, it is very distinctive, with its pleated leaves (hence the scientific name) and non-excurrent nerve immediately looking different from other montane pleurocarps.
In the field, it has quite a scruffy look to it, forming sprawling patches on stony soil and rubble at the base of calcareous crags. In Smith's Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland, L.plicatum is described as more or less pinnately branched, but this description is misleading, with many plants being distinctly irregularly branched.
Nationally, L.plicatum is very rare, with the only records coming from seven 10km squares, all in the central Hghlands of Scotland. On the Lawers NNR, it has been recorded from Meall nan Tarmachan, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich, Ben Lawers and Meall Garbh.
In the field, it has quite a scruffy look to it, forming sprawling patches on stony soil and rubble at the base of calcareous crags. In Smith's Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland, L.plicatum is described as more or less pinnately branched, but this description is misleading, with many plants being distinctly irregularly branched.
Nationally, L.plicatum is very rare, with the only records coming from seven 10km squares, all in the central Hghlands of Scotland. On the Lawers NNR, it has been recorded from Meall nan Tarmachan, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich, Ben Lawers and Meall Garbh.
Thuidium tamariscinum
This common species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Thuidium assimile
Meall Corranaich
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Palustriella commutata
This species is very common in flushes on the Lawers hills, where it corms extensive green patches with a host of typical associates, such as Blindia acuta, Dichodontium pellucidum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Palustriella falcata and occasionally rarer species.
I've described P.commutata in the Bryophytes of other areas of northern England section of the site.
I've described P.commutata in the Bryophytes of other areas of northern England section of the site.
Palustriella falcata
Campylium stellatum
Sarmentypnum sarmentosum
This attractive moss is a frequent species in flushes on the slopes of the Lawers hills. It is generally a deep red colour but the stem tips are often greenish-yellow. It avoids acidic habitats, growing where neutral or base-rich water flows.
The most recent Atlas of British & Irish Bryophytes (Hill, et al, 2014) states that capsules are very rare in Britain, so I was lucky to find the fruiting patch shown in the second photo.
The most recent Atlas of British & Irish Bryophytes (Hill, et al, 2014) states that capsules are very rare in Britain, so I was lucky to find the fruiting patch shown in the second photo.
Straminergon stramineum
Ben Lawers summit ridge
I've only encountered this widespread moss once on Ben Lawers, in a sheltered depression at the base of an outcrop on the summit ridge. Although a lowland species in much of Britain, this species is also common at high altitude in Scotland where soils are permanently moist, such as rock crevices and around areas of late snow lie.
I've described Straminergon in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
I've described Straminergon in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Scorpidium scorpioides
Image coming soon!
This species is common in many flushes on the Lawers hills. I've described it in the Mosses of other areas of Scotland section of the site.
Scorpidium revolvens
Text coming soon!
Pseudocalliergon turgescens
An Stuc
One of the rarest mosses on Ben Lawers, until recently this was the sole site in Britain for this water-loving species. Its swollen-looking shoots with golden tips look distinctly different to Scorpidum scorpioides (the most similar-looking species) and are restricted to a small area on An Stuc.
Recently, the species has been found in northern England.
On the continent, the species is more widespread - you can see photos (including microscope images) here.
Recently, the species has been found in northern England.
On the continent, the species is more widespread - you can see photos (including microscope images) here.
Pseudocalliergon trifarium
Beinn Ghlas
E corrie, Ben Lawers
The best base-rich flushes on the Lawers range contain this species. Its spear-like, golden shoots are always a welcome sight and a promise of better finds nearby. No other species resembles it in appearance in its habitat.
P.trifarium is uncommon nationally, restricted entirely to the Scottish Highlands. On the Lawers hills it is not uncommon, but only occurs in the best flushes.
P.trifarium is uncommon nationally, restricted entirely to the Scottish Highlands. On the Lawers hills it is not uncommon, but only occurs in the best flushes.
Sanionia uncinata
Sanionia can be found in short, sunny, calcareous turf on Ben Lawers, a habitat which strongly resembles that of the Alps, where Sanionia is a very common montane species. It is interesting that this is the same habitat where Hypnum revolutum (see below) occurs on Ben Lawers, another strongly continental bryophyte.
I've described Sanionia in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
I've described Sanionia in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Hygrohypnum ochraceum
stem section, showing enlarged epidermal cells and lack of a central strand Text coming soon!
Isothecium myosuroides
Image coming soon!
Text coming soon!
Isothecium intermedium
Meall Corranaich
Text coming soon!
Brachythecium reflexum
Creag Loisgte, Ben Lawers
On the Lawers NNR, this rare, montane Brachythecium is found in the shelter of deep rock crevices, often among fern litter or on bare soil. It fine, spindly appearance marks it out in the field, although microscopical analysis is needed to distinguish it from its close cousins, B. glaciale & B. starkei, both of which occur on these hills in similar habitats.
B. reflexum is characterised by having stem leaves with long, drawn-out apices, nerves that reach the apex and leaf margins that are only denticulate above. B. starkei has leaves which are denticulate from base to apex and B. glaciale has broader leaves with short apices.
On the Lawers hills, B. reflexum is known from Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and Meall nan Tarmachan, while B. starkei and B. glaciale are found only on Ben Lawers itself, although there is an early 20th century record for starkei from Meall nan Tarmachan.
B. reflexum is characterised by having stem leaves with long, drawn-out apices, nerves that reach the apex and leaf margins that are only denticulate above. B. starkei has leaves which are denticulate from base to apex and B. glaciale has broader leaves with short apices.
On the Lawers hills, B. reflexum is known from Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and Meall nan Tarmachan, while B. starkei and B. glaciale are found only on Ben Lawers itself, although there is an early 20th century record for starkei from Meall nan Tarmachan.
Sciuro-hypnum plumosum
Ben Lawers
This often robust pleurocarp is one of the most abundant species on damp rocks at high altitudes on the Lawers hills.
Entodon concinnus
Creag Loisgte, Ben Lawers
This attractive moss is a rare component of the bryophyte community of base-rich rock ledges high in the mountains, although it is locally abundant on Ben Lawers and forms large patches in some areas.
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
in habitat
This species is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
in habitat
Myurella julacea
This rare species is an uncommon find on the Lawers hills and is a scarce species nationally, with most occurrences from the central Highlands.
M.julacea superficially resembles Anomobryum, but can be distinguished by several features: it has much more strongly-concave leaves which lack an obvious nerve, the lower leaf margins are denticulate and the cells are slightly papillose.
Ben Lawers
M.julacea superficially resembles Anomobryum, but can be distinguished by several features: it has much more strongly-concave leaves which lack an obvious nerve, the lower leaf margins are denticulate and the cells are slightly papillose.
Ben Lawers
Orthothecium rufescens
Ben Lawers
Creag an Lochain
No other British moss resembles this very attractive species of permanently wet, calcareous sites. On some crags on the Lawers hills, this moss can cover extensive areas, where it frequently occurs with Amphidium mougeotii, Anoectangium aestivum and Tritomaria quinquedentata.
Orthothecium intricatum
This common upland calcicole is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
The plants photographed here appear rather atypical, with greyer, thinner stems. It's not a moss I've come across very often on Ben Lawers.
The plants photographed here appear rather atypical, with greyer, thinner stems. It's not a moss I've come across very often on Ben Lawers.
Plagiothecium sp
Image coming soon!
Text coming soon!
Isoptergyiopsis pulchella
An Stuc
This terrible photo doesn't really offer much of a field ID for this very small, easily-overlooked species, but it's all I've got at the moment!
I.pulchella is a very small species, and often only spotted when a patch of its elongate capsules on tall setae seem to emerge from a crack in a crag or patch of vegetation on a rock legde. The stems are just visible in this photo, and rather flattened, with narrow triangular leaves.
This montane moss is a species of damp, sheltered habitats where there is at least some base enrichment, and is widespread on the craggy peaks of the Lawers NNR from the area in the east.Tarmachans in the west to the Ben Lawers-An Stuc Its rarer cousin, I.muelleriana, is a larger species with differently-sized stem and leaf cells. There are old records from Creag an Lochain and Ben Lawers, but it has not been seen since 1969. It is an easily-overlooked species and could still occur here.
I.pulchella is a very small species, and often only spotted when a patch of its elongate capsules on tall setae seem to emerge from a crack in a crag or patch of vegetation on a rock legde. The stems are just visible in this photo, and rather flattened, with narrow triangular leaves.
This montane moss is a species of damp, sheltered habitats where there is at least some base enrichment, and is widespread on the craggy peaks of the Lawers NNR from the area in the east.Tarmachans in the west to the Ben Lawers-An Stuc Its rarer cousin, I.muelleriana, is a larger species with differently-sized stem and leaf cells. There are old records from Creag an Lochain and Ben Lawers, but it has not been seen since 1969. It is an easily-overlooked species and could still occur here.
Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans
Creag an Fhithich, Ben Lawers
This well-known woodland species is also common at high altitudes in the Scottish mountains, where the cooler, wetter climate means it can occupy more open habitats than further south. It is frequent on crags on the Lawers hills, where it has often tricked me into thinking I've come across something far more exotic like a Herzogiella species!
Diagnostic characters of Pseudotaxiphyllum are described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Diagnostic characters of Pseudotaxiphyllum are described in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Hypnum revolutum
Ben Lawers
While a common and widespread species in many mountainous parts of continental Europe, H.revolutum is extremely rare in Britain. Its only known populations are on Ben Lawers itself, and here it is present as only a handful of very small populations, where it grows in calcareous turf on steep slopes.
H.revolutum is named for the leaf margins, which are recurved in their lower halves.
H.revolutum is named for the leaf margins, which are recurved in their lower halves.
Hypnum vaucheri
An Stuc
leaf base, showing numerous small alar cells
All of Britain's montane Hypnum species can be seen on Ben Lawers and its surrounding peaks. After H.revolutum (above), H.vaucheri is the next rarest, both on the NNR and nationally, with the species recorded from just five 10km squares, all in the Scottish Highlands. Like revolutum, this species is typical of continental mountain climates and hence is restricted to the selected parts of the Scottish hills that provide similar conditions. On the Lawers NNR, H.vaucheri is known only in very small quantity from the crags above Lochan nan Cat and from Creag an Lochain.
H.vaucheri is characterised by small, but distinct, alar cells and rounded paraphyllia. Visually, it resembles a dwarf version of H.lacunosum, with red-brown stems grading into yellow-green tips.
leaf detaill, showing plane margins
H.vaucheri is characterised by small, but distinct, alar cells and rounded paraphyllia. Visually, it resembles a dwarf version of H.lacunosum, with red-brown stems grading into yellow-green tips.
leaf detaill, showing plane margins
Hypnum cupressiforme
Text coming soon!
Hypnum bambergeri
Crater area, Ben Lawers
This very attractive montane Hypnum is a fairly frequent sight on the richest crags around the Ben Lawers summit area. Its attractive golden-brown colour and small stems with neatly-curved leaves make it easy to spot, although it does somewhat resemble a very small Ctenidium at times.
Microscopically, H.bambergeri is characterised by having small but distinct patches of alar cells as well as all leaf cells porose.
Although not uncommon on the highest parts of some of the Lawers hills, this moss is rare nationally, with all populations occurring in the Scottish Highlands with one outlying site in Sutherland in the far northwest. On the NNR, it is recorded from Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich and the Tarmachans.
Microscopically, H.bambergeri is characterised by having small but distinct patches of alar cells as well as all leaf cells porose.
Although not uncommon on the highest parts of some of the Lawers hills, this moss is rare nationally, with all populations occurring in the Scottish Highlands with one outlying site in Sutherland in the far northwest. On the NNR, it is recorded from Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas, Meall Corranaich and the Tarmachans.
Hypnum callichroum
Meall Corranaich
This distinctive Hypnum often grows as patches of fairly pale, upright stems. These can be pale green or yellow-green. Unlike the other special Hypnums on the NNR, H.callichroum tends to be found in damp, quite shaded sites, often under overhanging boulders, where they are sheltered from the worst of the elements.
The NBN dataset shows the species as being found on Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and the Tarmachans, but there is no obvious reason it shouldn't occur more widely on the other hills where block scree and sheltered crags are found.
The NBN dataset shows the species as being found on Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and the Tarmachans, but there is no obvious reason it shouldn't occur more widely on the other hills where block scree and sheltered crags are found.
Hypnum hamulosum
Meall Corranaich
The last of the montane Hypnums, H.hamulosum is most similar in appearance to H.callichroum, in that its stems are relatively skinny, with distinctly-spaced branches, quite different to H.revolutum, vaucheri and bambergeri. Unlike H.callichroum, it is more of yellow colour and grows as flat patches, rather than greenish, upright ones.
The two species are quite similar microscopically in having large epidermal stem cells, but can be distinguished by hamulosum lacking distinct alar cells - those of callichroum are inflated and form distinct auricles at the base of each leaf.
Unlike H. bambergeri, H. hamulosum is regularly pinnately branched, giving a good hint as to its identity. The two species can be a rather similar golden-brown colour, so microscopical analysis is the best policy to confirm the identity of a given colony.
I have only come across H.hamulosum once on my visitis to the NNR, but it well-recorded from the Tarmachans, Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and there is one record from An Stuc. In Britain, H. hamulosum is more widespread than H. bambergeri, the latter being entirely restricted to the central Scottish Highlands.
The two species are quite similar microscopically in having large epidermal stem cells, but can be distinguished by hamulosum lacking distinct alar cells - those of callichroum are inflated and form distinct auricles at the base of each leaf.
Unlike H. bambergeri, H. hamulosum is regularly pinnately branched, giving a good hint as to its identity. The two species can be a rather similar golden-brown colour, so microscopical analysis is the best policy to confirm the identity of a given colony.
I have only come across H.hamulosum once on my visitis to the NNR, but it well-recorded from the Tarmachans, Ben Lawers, Meall Corranaich and there is one record from An Stuc. In Britain, H. hamulosum is more widespread than H. bambergeri, the latter being entirely restricted to the central Scottish Highlands.
Ctenidium molluscum
Ctenidium is one of the most common mosses on calcareous crags throughout the Lawers NNR, as well as occurring in calcareous turf on rocky soil.
The species is described in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Ctenidium procerrimum
Creag Loisgte, Ben Lawers
The exceedingly-rare cousin of C. molluscum, this moss is only known from two sites in Britain, although it is widespread in the European Alps. C. procerrimum resembles a fairly small, prostrate C. molluscum (although small forms of that species are common on the Lawers hills). Microscopic characters are needed to conclusively separate the two species - procerrimum has smooth leaf margins (resembling a Hypnum) and conspicuous orange alar cells.
Pleurozium schreberi
This common moss is very abundant on grassy slopes on the Lawers hills.
I've described this species in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
I've described this species in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus
This beautiful, robust species is found locally in damp, open, grassy habitats on the Lawers hills. I've described the species in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
A ubiquitous moss of just about sunny, acidic grassland habitat, this species is easily seen on Ben Lawers. It is described in more detail in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site.
Rhytidiadelphus loreus
This common calcifuge species is described in the Mosses of the Lake District section of the site.
Hylocomium splendens
Meall Corranaich
Text coming soon!
Campylophyllum halleri
Ben Lawers
habitat photo, showing typical rich assemblage of rare species alongside Campylophyllum.
This very rare moss is one of the great treasures of Ben Lawers, where it occurs as scattered, usually small patches of golden-orange stems on the best calcareous outcrops. The tiny leaves are strongly recurved and slightly resemble those of Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens, with which it is often found. The latter species, however, has opaque leaves and unbranched stems. Microscopically, the leaves of Campylophyllum are short, with very broad bases that suddenly contract to a long, acute upper part.
C. halleri is a very rare species in Britain, known only from the Ben Lawers area, one site in the Cairngorms and one on Ben Alder.
microscope view of leaves
C. halleri is a very rare species in Britain, known only from the Ben Lawers area, one site in the Cairngorms and one on Ben Alder.
microscope view of leaves