First vice-county records of 'M. fruticulosa s.
l.':
*1: Carn Galver, 1872,
WC (NMW) (Paton 1969a:
693).
*2: Trelawne, Looe,
1923, FR (BM) (Paton 1969a:
693).
First vice-county records of M.
violacea:
*vc1: (Paton 1977a:
447, Corley 1978: 12).
*vc2: (Paton 1977a:
447, Corley 1978: 12).
Recognition of M. violacea (as M. fruticulosa auct.)
and M. consanguinea (as M. temperata) as
separate species in Britain dates from the revision by Paton
(1977a: 441). Older records of 'M. fruticulosa' are
placed as the s. l. unless specimens
have been revised recently. Considerable care is needed in
field identification of these species, since young gemmiferous
branches of M. consanguinea and
those from which most of the gemmae have been dislodged by
rain can resemble gemmiferous branches of M.
violacea.
Normally grows as epiphyte, forming patches on
trunks and branches. Recorded commonly on Elder, Gorse, Grey
Willow, Hazel and Sycamore; also on Alder (1 record), Apple (1
record), Beech (1 record, Bodmin Moor), Blackthorn (9 records,
4 of them near coasts), Bramble (1 record, on dead stem),
Buddleja (1 record), Cotoneaster
integrifolius (2 records), elm (1 record), oak (1 record,
shore of The Loe lake), Picea abies (dead
twigs: one record), Pinus contorta (1
record), Rhododendron (1 record), Silver Birch (1 record,
inland near stream, with rich epiphyte flora), Wild Cherry,
Wild Privet. Apparently less common than M. consanguinea on
acidic, nutrient-poor bark, but there is much overlap in
phorophytes and they commonly grow
intermixed.
Associates include Cololejeunea
minutissima, Cryphaea heteromalla,
Frullania dilatata,
Hypnum andoi, Hypnum cupressiforme
var.
resupinatum, Metzgeria furcata, Metzgeria
consanguinea, Microlejeunea ulicina,
Neckera pumila, Orthotrichum affine,
Orthotrichum
diaphanum, Orthotrichum
pulchellum, Orthotrichum tenellum,
Radula complanata,
Ulota bruchii, Ulota crispa, Ulota phyllantha, Zygodon conoideus,
occasionally Colura
calyptrifolia.
Also recorded as abundant over surfaces of numerous
serpentinite boulders low in inundation-zone of large
part-shaded stream at Poltesco, forming large pure patches.
Single record of small amount on large granitic boulder at
edge of pasture, lightly shaded by Urtica dioica (same
boulder had Cryphaea
heteromalla, Orthotrichum affine,
Orthotrichum
tenellum, Ulota
phyllantha, etc.). Several records on granitic blocks or
boulders close above water-level in streams. Patch on shaded
slaty rock.
Mainly identified c. gemmae, which normally present
(although sometimes sparse after heavy rainfall). Not seen
c.fr. in Cornwall.
