Photo
by Dr M Lueth ©.
*1: St Mary's, 1908, GBS (RAMM) (Paton 1969a:
719). [Earlier report (Lelant Sands, in Curnow 1865) probably
refers to S. ruralis var. ruraliformis: Paton 1969a: 719].
*2:Talland
Church,
1893, RVT (TRU)
(Paton 1969a: 719).
Gallego (2002: 23) and Hill et al. (2008) regard
Syntrichia montana Nees as the
earliest valid name for this species.
Sometimes difficult to separate from S. ruralis, differing
superficially only in having slight constriction at mid-leaf
and less extensively recurved leaf margin. However, characters
seen in leaf sections differ clearly and consistently. A
specimen from Landewednack churchyard (JAP M3059, in DTH) has a few stems
with leaves ending in a short mucro, as in var. calva (Bruch &
Schimp.) J.J.Amann (cf. M.T. Gallego in Guerra et al. 2006). However,
accompanying stems in the same gathering have leaves with
short hyaline awns.
Habitat notes from Cornwall are as follows. Forms
cushions or patches in sites that are normally basic, dry,
free-draining and unshaded or lightly shaded. Most records are
from concrete or mortar, on horizontal, sloping or vertical
surfaces, on old walls, buildings (e.g. churches, ruins),
bridge over stream, concrete grave-covering and on masonry
debris. Twice on roof slates; two records from slaty 'natural'
rock, on dry slate partly shaded above old railway cutting,
and on low unshaded outcrop on coastal hillside. Two records
were from exposed coastal sites. Several finds on gravel, e.g.
covering unshaded graves in churchyard and cemeteries
(including records from marble chips) and at edge of lane
where sheltered and slightly shaded. Occasionally extends onto
thin soil over old masonry. Once found in abundance on sloping
asbestos-cement roof (such sites probably under-recorded). One
record on old tarmac beside minor road. Three records of small
amounts on dry unshaded soil: stony top soil of heap in area
of old mine-spoil, hard soil and soft stones on old mining
ground, thin soil in crevice at base of mortared wall on
exposed hill top. Associates recorded Barbula unguiculata,
Bryum capillare, Didymodon rigidulus,
Schistidium
crassipilum, Tortella nitida, Tortula muralis, Trichostomum
crispulum.
Usually non-fertile; five records c.fr.: capsules
immature 1, 3, 6, 12, dehisced (old 3).
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