Photo
by Dr M Lueth ©.
*1: Perranporth, 1914,
FR (RAMM) (Paton 1969a: 723, as Pottia starkeana
subsp. starkeana
var. starkeana).
[Other records given later by D.F. Chamberlain in Hill 1980a,
Hill 1980b: 37, as P. starkeana subsp. starkeana var. brachyodus].
*2: Gorran Haven, 1958,
TL (Paton 1969a: 723, as P. starkeana subsp. starkeana var. brachyodus). [Other
records given later by D.F. Chamberlain in Hill 1980a, Hill
1980b: 37].
Differs from M. davallianum in spore
morphology (see below). No differences are apparent in the
habitat preferences of plants with well developed peristomes
(formerly separated as 'var. starckeana') and those
with the peristome absent or rudimentary ('var. brachyodus').
Recorded only from coastal sites, except for a single record
(of 'var.
brachyodus') inland near
Ventongimps.
Grows as scattered plants or forming low lawns.
Habitat notes from Cornwall are as follows. A colonist of
mainly bare neutral to more often basic (calcareous) soil that
is free-draining and usually dry, often sandy, stony or silty,
or thin soil over rock, where unshaded or less often slightly
shaded. The usual habitats are on upper slopes of sea-cliffs
(sometimes in exposed places), or banks and 'hedges' at top of
and above sea-cliffs. Also on old metalliferous mine-spoil
amongst dune grassland or open scrub (Gear Sands and Upton
Towans). Once inland on thin soil and old mortar of wall of
ruined mine building. Associates include various other small
acrocarpous mosses, among them Bryum dichotomum, Dicranella varia and
(once) Tortula
muralis. Also recorded among sparse patches of Armeria
maritima.
Commonly c.fr. [only recorded with mature capsules
and ripe spores]: capsules immature 1, 2, 12; dehiscing 12, 1,
2, dehisced 2, 4.
