*1: Mine waste,
Tresavean, W. of Lanner, 1975, JAP (BBSUK)
(Hill 1977b: 20, Lewis & Smith 1978: 24). [Older vc1
record of P. rothii deleted by
Paton 1969a: 733, Crundwell 1970: 203].
*2: Gravelly track, old
china clay works, Temple,
1966, JAP (BBSUK) (Hill 1977b: 20, 1979: 29,
Lewis & Smith 1978: 24).
Not generally recognised in Britain until the
revision by Lewis & Smith (1978). Records of 'P. rothii' made in
Cornwall during the 1960s
were referred to this species by Paton (MS.) but most were
probably of P. andalusica since DTH
records suggest different relative frequencies of these spp.
in vc1.
Usually grows as scattered plants colonising partly
bare substrates, sometimes mixed with other low bryophytes,
occasionally forming very small pure patches. In Cornwall
P. drummondii is a
rather uncommon moss of acidic soils (recorded on clay and
gravel), often in damp places. It usually occurs in the open
but is sometimes lightly shaded (e.g. by a bush). Habitats
recorded include mainly bare patches on heaths, a stream bank
(in open area of acidic grassland and flushes), bank beside a
pool, a lake edge, damp tracks (e.g. in acidic grassland, near
pits on heathland and amongst old china-clay spoil), a field
gateway and a gravelly path near buildings at a disused copper
mine. Associates recorded were Archidium
alternifolium, Philontis fontana, Pohlia annotina, Pohlia bulbifera, Scapania irrigua, Trichodon
cylindricus.
Only identified from well-grown axillary bulbils,
which appear to be present in most months (3, 7, 11). Not seen
c.fr. in Cornwall (M.J.
Wigginton in Hill et
al. 1994: 62 noted that sporophytes are occasional in
Scotland,
rare elsewhere in Britain).
