*1: Mean Rock, N. of Constantine, 1838, EAW (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
710-711).
*2: Near Probus, 1861, ES (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
710-711).
Habitat notes from C&S are as follows. Mainly
on well drained, acidic soil, on heathland, tops of 'hedges',
old mine-spoil, about quarries, or thin soil over rocks.
Although frequently a colonist of bare substrates, such as on
soil of banks and slopes above working china clay quarries and
on their spoil heaps, where it may be common, it mainly grows
in habitats that have been stable for several years. It is
usually intolerant of much shading, but recorded from a track
in a spruce plantation. Its preferences appear to be much like
those of the commoner Polytrichum
juniperinum, and it often occurs close to that species,
but it is typically a shorter plant and hence unable to grow
with such tall competitors as that species sometimes
tolerates. Recorded from partly bare areas close to edges of
exposed sea-cliffs, and on 'hedges' and other sites close to
exposed coasts, so evidently tolerates salt spray, although
not typical of such places. One record from upper part of
inundation-zone beside reservoir. Single record of patch on
exposed acidic soil of bank at edge of mesotrophic pasture,
but much less frequent than P. juniperinum as
colonist of temporary and less acidic habitats. Associates
include Ceratodon
purpureus, Hypnum
jutlandicum, Marsupella sprucei, Cladonia spp., Ornithopus
perpusillus.
Frequently or commonly c.fr.: capsules immature
1-6, 11, 12; dehiscing 8; dehisced [1-3: old],
8-11.
