*1: Sunset, Kea near
Truro,
1855, EAW (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
752).
*2: Trehane near
Probus, 1857, ES (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
752).
Large, branched plants corresponding to 'var. stokesii' (see Smith
1978: 614) are common in Cornwall, especially in moist to wet
shaded habitats where they are usually the commonest form of
the species. However, intermediate plants are so common that
it is often impracticable to record stokesii separately.
Hence, following Blockeel & Long (1998: 149) it is not
treated as a separate taxon. Other distinctive plants
sometimes occur on and above sea-cliffs, with sparsely
branched prostrate stems and long branch leaves; intermediates
apparently connect these to the typical
form.
Habitat notes from C&S are as follows. K. praelonga is perhaps
the commonest moss in Cornwall, in a wide range of habitats
(and probably becoming commoner because of its robust growth
habit and tolerance of eutrophication). It is often the
commonest bryophyte by far on Cornish hedges separating fields
of agriculturally 'improved' grassland, doubtless because of
its tolerance of artificially high nutrient levels. Also very
common on banks and slopes near the coast, reflecting both
salt tolerance and good colonising
ability.
Occurs on soil and rocks on banks and slopes in
woodland (deciduous and conifer), in scrub, Grey Willow carr,
at path or track edges, on 'hedges', laneside banks, in
cemeteries and churchyards. Bases of walls and under scrub or
trees in old mine areas, sometimes on more open areas of
mine-spoil. Common as colonist of soil heaps, arable fields
(including bulbfields in Scilly), grass leys, bare patches in
pastures, clay and soil in and near working china clay
quarries and on spoil heaps and in stone quarries (including
serpentinite).
Grows in fully insolated and well shaded sites, but
especially common in sheltered and humid woodlands or beside
woodland rivers, streams, ditches or flushes, and in Grey
Willow carr. Spreads onto bases of Grey Willow or Elder trunks
in humid places and onto lower branches in very humid
situations. Extends well into flood-zone of rivers, and
frequent to abundant on silted bases of trees beside R. Tamar;
also in upper parts of inundation zones beside reservoirs.
Often also in exposed places on soil on and above sea-cliffs,
e.g. amongst sparse grasses in turf and at edges of paths and
tracks. Also in flushes on and above sea-cliffs and at
landward edge of exposed boulder beach. Bits, poorly grown, in
open acid mire near Molinia caerulea and
sphagna. Unusual record of plenty on cast-iron of old pipe
above river bank, lightly shaded by
trees.
Many associates recorded, those typical in humid
woodlands and on shaded banks including Brachythecium
rutabulum,
Brachythecium rivulare, Cirriphyllum
piliferum,
Eurhynchium striatum, Fissidens bryoides
var.
bryoides,
Isothecium myosuroides var. myosuroides, Lejeunea
lamacerina, Mnium
hornumn,
Plagiomnium undulatum, Plagiothecium
denticulatum var.
denticulatum,
Plagiothecium nemorale, Plagiothecium
succulentum,
Rhizomnium punctatum, and grasses and herbs; on garden
soil or in arable fields with Oxyrrhynchium hians, Oxyrrhynchium pumilum
and various small acrocarps; in bulbfields in Isles of Scilly
with Riccia
crystallina,
Sphaerocarpos spp.; on silted riverside tree-bases with Homalia
trichomanoides,
Leskea polycarpa, occasionally Dendrocryphaea
lamyana, Scleropodium
cespitans; on edge of cliff-top path with Archidium
alternifolium, Bryum dichotomum, Ephemerum
serratum.
Frequently/commonly c.fr.: capsules immature 1-4,
7-12; dehiscing 1-3, [4], 10-12; dehisced 1-5, 12. Mainly
non-fertile in exposed sites, such as on coastal cliffs, where
plant nonetheless is often very common.
