*1: Sandy path, Great
Bay, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, 1977, ACC
(BBSUK) (Corley 1978: 13).
*2: China clay track
across marsh, Goss Moor N. of St Dennis, 1972, JAP
(BBSUK) (Paton 1973b:
504).
Under-recorded in the past partly because of the
rather small size of the often sparsely scattered plants but
also because identification relied on presence of mature
spores, which are often not present in this dioicous species.
However, Paton (1999: 522) noted that when small and erect the
plants are often distinctive in the field and that
identification of male plants can also be based on the
presence of large antheridia (body 180-320 µm wide) with long
stalks (120-470 µm). Use of these
characters has led to more frequent records over the past few
years.
Habitat notes from C&S are as follows. Three
records on damp open almost flat areas of china-clay spoil,
including surfaces of a track; among low mosses, with Nardia scalaris. One
record with low carpet of Cephaloziella on
almost unshaded metalliferous mine-spoil. Two records on
partly bare disturbed soil of unshaded ground near old quarry;
with Cephaloziella
hampeana, Riccia
sorocarpa. On unshaded compressed soil of pathway along
disused track (near Philonotis fontana, Riccia subbifurca). On
unshaded partly bare damp soil of open patches in acidic
grassland (with Cephaloziella
hampeana, Ceratodon
purpureus). On Isles of Scilly frequent on cliff tops,
coastal heaths and acid sand of dunes, growing mainly in
partly bare trampled places at edges of paths. One record from
upper edge of inundation-zone beside reservoir, on firm soil
with sparse low vegetation (with Archidium
alternifolium, Calliergonella
cuspidata, Cephaloziella
divaricata, Fossombronia
foveolata).
Although the small erect and unbranched plants of
F. incurva have a
characteristic appearance even when non-fertile, the species
has only been recorded c.fr. or with mature perianths or
mature antheridia (which are distinct in their large size).
Capsules frequent, immature 2-4, dehiscing 2-4, 8,
12.
