Photo
by Dr M Lueth ©.
*1: Newlyn Cliff, 1860,
WC (CMM) (Paton 1969a:
712).
*2: Trehane near
Probus, 1861, ES (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
712).
Old records from 1860s might have been errors for
30.6.b, which was not described until 1876 and not named at
species rank until 1885.
Readily identified by its inclined capsule, but
otherwise seems very close to F. viridulus and perhaps
only a recurrent form of that species. However, it may occur
more consistently on basic substrates than does F.
viridulus.
Grows as scattered plants or low lawns. Habitat
notes from C&S are as follows. On open rather basic to
mildly acidic loamy or clayey soil (occasionally thin soil
over slaty rock) that may be horizontal, sloping or vertical
and rather dry to damp. Grows in unshaded or partly shaded
places, less often moderately shaded e.g. under trees. Records
are from soil exposed in pastures (e.g. on steep banks),
trackside and laneside banks, bank beneath hedgerow beside
canal, stream banks, banks near coast and beside a lake, old
quarries, a churchyard and disused railway cuttings. Single
finds also on thin soil on top of stone wall and on a bank of
old mine-spoil. Associates recorded include Bryum rubens, Bryum ruderale, Dicranella rufescens,
Epipterygium
tozeri, Fissidens
exilis, Fissidens
bryoides var.
bryoides, Fissidens
taxifolius var.
taxifolius, Fissidens viridulus,
Microbryum
davallianum, Microbryum rectum, Weissia
sp.
Commonly c.fr. [not recorded without well-grown
capsules]: capsules immature 1, 3, 4, 6, 10-12; dehiscing 1-7,
10, 11; dehisced
3-7.