Bryophytes of Ben Lawers NNR
Liverworts
Jungermanniales
Herbertus stramineus (probably)
The deeply divided pronged leaves of the brown liverwort make it resemble a moss. It is a characteristic species of upland rock ledges and grows on base-rich substrates. It is the only one of three British Herbertus species found on Ben Lawers. The pale moss is Ctenidium molluscum. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for help with the identification.
Pleurocladula albescens
The frosted appearance of the short, creeping shoots of this rare alpine liverwort is very distinctive. It is a characteristic component of snowbed communities (where this photo was taken). I apologise for the poor photo - a better one will be taken the next time I find the species!
Anthelia julacea
The ghostly grey branched worm-like shoots of Anthelia are a common sight at higher altitudes on Ben Lawers. The two British species are superficially similar and can grow together, although A.julacea is more common and prefers wetter habitats, such as base-rich flushes. It can form large, swollen mounds in places, or cover entire surfaces of flushed rock slabs. A.juratzkana is rarer, and tends to grow in snowbed areas. It can be distinguished with a hand lens by looking for rhizoids on its stems and branches. It is a smaller species, so any large stems of Anthelia or plants growing in flushes will be A.julacea.
Cushion on a flushed rock slab, with Marsupella emarginata and Gymnomitrion sp
Barbilophozia sp (probably floerkii)
Several similar Barbilophozia species are found on Ben Lawers, and it is impossible to be sure of the identity of this plant from the photo. B.floerkii is one of the more common members of the genus, and is described in the Liverworts of Derbyshire section of the site. Associated species in this photo are Racomitrium lanuginosum and Polytrichum juniperinum . Thanks to Gordon Rothero and David Long for helping with the ID.
Barbilophozia lycopodioides (probably)
One of the rarer members of the genus in Britain, this liverwort is a northern species which grows in humid alpine and subalpine habitats. Key identification features of B.lycopodioides are its relatively broad, shallowly-lobed leaves which cross the mid-stem line at the antical (forward) margin and a lack of gemmae. The rather similar B.hatcheri often has gemmae, the antical margin of its leaves does not cross the mid-stem line, and it is largely absent from alpine areas.
Lophozia ventricosa
This common liverwort is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site.
Lophozia opacifolia
This aptly named liverwort is an alpine specialist in Britain, rarely descending below 750m altitude. It is very similar to the much more common L.incisa, and at moderate elevations the two species are visually indistinguishable and must be separated by microscopical analysis of the leaf cells. L.opacifolia prefers wetter habitats than its close relative, however, which can be a good identification aid. The plants below were growing in a base-rich montane flush at around 750 altitude (photo 1) and in a snowbed habitat at around 1200m altitude (photo 2). Thanks to Tom Blockeel for the identification.
Mylia taylorii
This common liverwort is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site.
Jungermannnia exsertiflolia ssp cordifolia
This large Jungermannia is a prominent member of flush communities on Ben Lawers, and can form extensive black cushions covering several square metres. Its size and colour alone help to identify it, as other members of the genus are smaller or greener. Close examination reveals the leaves to be heart-shaped, hence the Latin name.
Nardia scalaris (probably)
Although not visible in this photo, the best diagnostic feature for this common liverwort is the presence of stiff, projecting underleaves on the stems - a feature which immediately separates Nardia from superficially similar Jungermannia species. N.scalaris is much the commonest member of the genus in Britain, and is common on Ben Lawers, inhabiting disturbed ground and bare, acidic soils. It is especially common on bare frost-heaved ground in snowbed areas. Four of Britain's five Nardia species occur on Ben Lawers, but N.scalaris is usually easily distinguished by its rounded leaves which lack a notch (they are not bilobed). Thanks to Tom Blockeel for the ID.
Marsupella emarginata
Gymnomitrion concinnatum
Gymnomitrion obtusum
I've described this species in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site.
Diplophyllum albicans
This widespread liverwort is common in wet, acidic habitats on Ben Lawers. Its flattened shoots are made up of long, toothed blunt-ended leaf lobes, each of which has a characteristic band of colourless cells down the middle, a feature which separates it from the otherwise similar D.taxifolium.
Diplophyllum taxifolium
Scapania cuspiduligera (probably)
A rather scarce liverwort in Britain, S.cuspiduligera can be recognised in the field by its abundant dark brown clusters of gemmae on the leaf tips, pale appearance and base-rich habitat. Although more of a lowland species than some other rare Scapanias, this species can ascend to alpine habitats - this photo was taken on the famous south-west crags at an altitude of approximately 1000m. Thanks to David Long for help with the ID.
Scapania undulata
This is perhaps the commonest liverwort in flushes on the Ben Lawers range, and is often found with Dichodontium palustre (the yellow-green moss in the bottom left of the photo), and blackish-green cushions of Jungermannia exsertifolia. Scapania undulata is usually a characteristic dark wine-red, but can be shades of green as well. The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site.
Plagiochila killarniensis (probably)
This liverwort is a characteristic plant of damp base-rich ledges in humid hilly areas. The red moss below it is Orthothecium rufescens, which always indicates good base-rich habitat. Thanks to Fred Rumsey for the ID.
Radula lindenbergiana
This pale yellow-green, mat forming liverwort is widespread in Scotland. It is very similar to the much more common R.complanata, from which it can be impossible to differentiate if non-fertile. This plant was growing almost at the summit of Ben Lawers (at about 1200m) and so can only be R.lindenbergiana (R.complanata is not known above 760m in Britain). Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming my identification.
Ptilidium ciliare
This beautiful liverwort is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site.
Metzgeriales
Moerckia blyttii
The very wavy thallus margins make this alpine species resemble a Fossombronia at first glance. M.blyttii is exclusively a high-altitude species in Britain, often growing in areas where snow lies late in the year (as in this photo). It is very similar to the lowland M.hibernica or M.flotoviana but has brown rhizoids and unfinged scales on the female thalli. Any plant at high altitude (this plant was growing at around 1200m) will be M.blyttii. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the ID.
Mosses
Sphagnales
Sphagnum mosses are distinctive moss components of bogs and mires around the world. Ben Lawers NNR has a good assortment of species, although they are found at lower altitudes than the more famous alpine bryohphytes of the area.
Sphagnum palustre
One of Britain's most widespread Sphagnum mosses, I've described this species in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identifications.
Sphagnum squarrosum
One of Britain's most widespread Sphagnum species, this is also one of the easiest to recognise in the field, thanks to its strongly recurved branch leaves, which give the plant a spiky appearance. Although often a lowland species, this moss ascends to high altitude on Ben Lawers - the patch here was photographed at about 900m in an east-facing corrie. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming my identification.
Sphagnum compactum
This common and distinctive Sphagnum is described in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site.
Sphagnum girgensohnii (probably)
This all-green Sphagnum species is found in shaded habitats and can be recognised by its flat-topped, stellate capitulum and spreading branches with long, drooping ends. The stem leaves are rectangular and waisted, with a fringed tip.
Sphagnum papillosum (probably)
I've described S.papillosum in the Bryophytes of the Lake District and Cumbria section of the site.
Sphagnum warnstorfii (probably)
This Sphagnum species is characteristic of base-rich flushed habitats, rather than the acidic bog and heath habitats many other memebers of the genus prefer. Usually a vivid red colour, the best diagnostic features of this species are it flat-topped stellate capitulum and slender spreading branches with leaves in regular straight lines.
Sphagnum subnitens
I've described the very common Sphagnum in the Mosses of Derbyshire section of the site. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for the identification.
Andreales
Andreaea alpina
Andreaeas are generally easily recognised at a genus level, and are abundant on boulders at moderate to high altitudes on Ben Lawers. A.alpina is one of three species in the genus whose leaves lack a nerve, and its leaves are distinctly larger above the middle, rather than below the middle.
Andreaea rupestris
This common upland moss is described in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site. You can see a close-up photo of the leaves here.
Polytrichales
Pogonatum urnigerum
This is a very common moss on Ben Lawers, where it colonises bare, acidic soil - you will see this species on soil banks along many of the paths on the range. It is easily recognised by its broad glaucous grey-green leaves which have toothed margins.
P.urnigerum, with a Racomitrium species - a common association on Ben Lawers.
Polytrichastrum formosum
One of Britain's most widespread mosses, this species is common in the drier areas of grassland on the lower slopes of Ben Lawers. Its close relative, P.commune, favours boggy sites and has a strongly four-angled capsule with an obvious constriction between the capsule and seta.
Polytrichastrum sexangulare
Britain's rarest Polytrichastrum species is fairly easy to find at high altitudes on Ben Lawers, where it is one of the most abundant mosses of snowbed sites. Its curved leaves make it easy to identify, although the smaller Oligotrichum hercynium (see below) looks similar, but has fleshier, paler leaves. The British range of P.sexangulare is totally restricted to Scotland's high mountains.
P.sexangulare, with Anthelia juratzkana (probably) and another leafy liverwort sp (Nardia scalaris probably), in snow bed area.
Polytrichum commune
One of the commonest mosses of damp, acidic habitats across Britain, this robust moss forms typically spiky-looking stems, often in extensive cushions. Although very similar to P.formosum (which favours drier, heathy ground), when fertile the two species are easily distinguished - the capsule of P.commune has a marked constriction at its base - a feature which P.formosum lacks.
Polytrichum piliferum
This common species is easy to recognise thanks to the long hair point on each of the glaucous leaves. It is abundant on Ben Lawers.
Polytrichum juniperinum
The red-brown tip to each prickly leaf is a good indicator of P.juniperinum. This species has untoothed leaves, unlike many of its relatives, and is generally found at lower altitudes on Ben Lawers in dry heathy habitats as sparsely-branched, low-growing patches of plants.
Polytrichum strictum
This elegant Polytrichum is fairly unmistakeable, growing as tall, unbranched stems in mire and bog habitats, where it often grows out of Sphagnum hummocks (as here). The leaf margins are inrolled and untoothed, and capsules are uncommon (some are shown in the fourth photo below).
Oligotrichum hercynium
I've described this common upland moss in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site.
Dicranales
Ditrichum gracile
The base-rich, high altitude rock ledges of Ben Lawers are home to this widespread wispy moss. It has long, very thin stems and leaves with a silky, hair-like texture.
Distichium capillaceum
Another of the Ben Lawers ledge mosses, this lime-loving species grows in deep turfs, with each stem bearing distinctively two-ranked wispy leaves on either side of the stem. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identification.
Dichodontium pellucidum
This attractive moss of flushed habitats is common on Ben Lawers. I've described it in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site.
Dichodontium palustre
This bright yellow-green starry moss is one of the most obvious members of the flush bryophyte communities on the Ben Lawers range.
Kiaeria falcata or starkei
Dicranum scoparium
This common moss is abundant on Ben Lawers in more acidic habitats, where it is often associated with Racomitrium species. It is a variable species, and individual plants should be examined closely to see if one of the similar, rarer, species is actually being viewed. Useful features for identification are the toothed leaf tips, and the presence of toothed ridges of tissue on the back of the nerve.
Dicranum scoparium or spurium
The most obvious of feature of D.spurium is the wavy leaves, but this is only pronounced on dry plants, so it's difficult to be sure whether this rarer species is photographed here, or the far more common and unexciting D.scoparium!
Campylopus atrovirens
A very distinctively-coloured moss of wet acidic rocks, the almost black long wispy stems of this moss allow it to be easily identified. When looked at closely, the stems are actually olive green, and end in a long hair point.
Fissidens osmundoides (probably)
This medium-sized Fissidens is a common moss in the base-rich flushes and wet crags on Ben Lawers. It can be recognised by its distinctively-shaped leaves, which are often downcurved at the tip, and have a nerve which is not excurrent.
Pottiales
Didymodon ferrugineus
The strongly recurved leaves and red-brown shoots help to identify this small moss. on Ben Lawers its typical habitat is in montane flushes where the water in base-rich, but at lower altitudes in other parts of its range it grows on well-drained bar soil.
Grimmiales
Schistidium strictum
Schistidiums are a notoriously difficult group to identify to species level - the following two plants look like S.strictum, but could prove to be rarer species if they were examined microscopically.
Grimmia torquata
One of the easier montane Grimmias to identify, with its very short hair-points on the spreading leaves. When dry, the strongly spirally-twisted leaves and brown colour of the cushions is highly distinctive. This moss forms cushions on base-rich rocks, and is fairly common at higher altitudes on Ben Lawers. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identification.
G.torquata cushions with Schistidium sp, 1000m altitude
Grimmia funalis
One of the common montane Grimmias, the species in easily seen on Ben Lawers, where it forms rounded, hairy cushions on schist. Grimmias are a notoriously difficult genus for field recognition of species, but G.funalis is one of the easier species, recognised by its tiny, strongly concave leaves on small shoots, mixed in with the normal shoots, which have spirally arranged leaves. Indeterminate specimens may need microscopical analysis.
Grimmia ramondii
This upland Grimmia looks more like a Racomitrium than a Grimmia - its leaves lack hair points and it does not form compact, rounded cushions like other members of the genus. The best feature for confirming this moss in the field is to look for a groove along the back of the nerve on the leaf underside. Thanks to Gordon Rothero for confirming the identification.
Racomitrium aquaticum
As its name suggests, this Racomitrium favours wet habitats, although it is not an aquatic species (R.aciculare grows in far wetter habitats). R.aquaticum grows on steep, damp rock faces and can be recognised by its unbranched stems and round-tipped leaves which lack a hair point. It is a common species in much of upland western Britain. Thanks to Fred Rumsey for confirming the ID.
Racomitrium lanuginosum
One of the most easily recognisable mosses on Ben Lawers, this species is a dominant plant on upland heathy slopes. No other moss forms such extensive hairy white patches on the ground.
Racomitrium ericoides (or possibly elongatum)
Several Racomitrium species are tricky to distinguish in the field (and even more so from photos!) due to their variability and close similarity. R.ericoides and R.elongatum are very similar to each other and need microscopic analysis of leaf cells to be distinguished with certainty. The latter species tends to have long hair points, but those of R.ericoides are variable and can look similar. A third member of the species group, R.canescens, lacks hair points. As a group, these species can be distinguished from all other British Racomitrium species by their abundant upright, short stem branches (other members of the genus grow as prostrate patches).
Racomitrium fasciculare
One of the commonest Racomitriums on Ben Lawers, this species is frequent on siliceous boulders, where it grows as sprawling patches. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its short branches (prostrate, rather than upright like R.ericoides above) which have bunched leaves lacking a hair point. Hairless specimens of R.heterostichum (a very variable species) can look very similar and may require microscopic analysis to differentiate with certainty.
typical dry cushion, commonly seen on exposed boulders above 900m
Blindia acuta
See the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site for a description of Blindia acuta. This moss is very common on the Ben Lawers hills, especially around flushes or wet rock.
Encalypta alpina
A truly alpine moss, in Britain this species is virtually restricted to the Scottish Highlands. It is scarcer than the other montane Encalypta (E.ciliaris, see below), and can be recognised by its gradually tapering leaves with a short hair point, and smooth capsules. The leaf shape can be rather variable, although some leaves will have the characteristic shape in a given patch of plants. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identification.
in habitat on a damp base-rich ledge, An Stuc
Encalypta ciliata
The fringe of hairs around the bottom of the calyptra instantly identify this montane Encalypta, and separate it from the other five British members of the genus (although only four others are found on Ben Lawers). It is best searched for by looking at patches of moss at 'ground level', when the distinctive capsules will clearly be seen above the leaves.
Bryales
Plagiobryum zieri
The pink-tinged shoots with closely adpressed concave leaves make this moss unmistakeable when richly coloured, as in this specimen. The capsules (out of focus in this photo) are also distinctive, looking large compared with the individual stems, and drooping from a long neck and red seta. This species is fairly common on Ben Lawers and is a good indicator of base-rich habitat where scarcer species often occur. The rarer P.demissum also occurs on Ben Lawers and can be distinguished by the lack of any pink tints, an overall red-brown colour, and longer leaves which aren't as closely pressed against the stem.
An Stuc
Plagiobryum zieri or Anomobryum julaceum
The species forming this large cushion could be either of these two species - they both have silvery-green shoots with closely adpressed leaves. The best way of distinguishing them (apart from the pink base to the shoots as mentioned above, but not visible in this photo) is to look at the capsules - A.julaceum has shorter capsules without the characteristic long neck of P.zieri capsules.
Bryum pallens (probably)
Bryum pseudotriquetrum
This common moss is abundant in the many flushes on the slopes of the Ben Lawers range. It is variable in colour, which some pklants being a rich purple-red, but whatever the colour, the consistent feature of a leaf base which runs down onto the stem is a good diagnostic feature.
Pohlia cruda
Pohlia wahlenbergii
Pohlia is a diverse genus, with a host of very similar and scarce species. P.wahlenbergii is one of the three commonest species, and is easily recognised by its pale, almost ghostly colour with contrasting red stems. Three varieties are recognised in Britain - the nominate form, which is by far the commonest; var.calcarea, a very rare moss of grassland (not known from Ben Lawers); and var.glacialis, a taller growing form of montane flushes, which is found on Ben Lawers.
Rhizomnium sp
The three British Rhizomnium species can only be distinguished by closely examining the stems for rhizoids. All three occur on Ben Lawers, so it's impossible to place this photo beyond the genus.
Aulacomnium palustre
A widespread moss of wet heathland and bogs, this pale yellow-green moss is fairly easily recognised, not only by the distinctive colour, but also under a hand lens when the stems will be seen to have a dense covering of red-brown rhizoids.
Plagiopus oederianus
I've described this cushion-forming moss of base-rich habitats in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site.
Bartramia sp (pomiformis or ithyphylla), with Racomitrium sp (ericoides or elongatum)
It's difficult to tell which of the two common British Bartramia species this is - it's a truly awful photo. Both species are described, along with better photos, in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site.
Conostomum tetragonum
This easily recognised moss is always a nice find on Ben Lawers, indicating snow-bed habitat, where many rare bryophytes dwell. the pale glaucous green colour and symmetrical pentagonal arrangement of the leaves when viewd from above (see the Moerckia blyttii photo above) mean this species cannot be confused with any other. A truly high-altitude moss, in Britain this species is almost entirely restricted to the Scottish Highlands, with one outlying occurrence in the Lake District.
Philonotis fontana
Much the commonest of the six British Philonotis species, this moss is a conspicuous member of flush communities on Ben Lawers. Plants are dioicious, with separate male and female plants. Microscopic analysis is often necessary to confidently assign individual Philonotis specimens to species level, although features such as habitat, leaf length and shape and shoot aspect (leaves pointing all in the same direction or not) can help to some degree. Capsule abundance is a good feature of this species - the only British Philonotis to frequently produce capsules is the very rare P.rigida, which has a completely different growth habit (hard, low-growing tufts) and is limited mainly to western Wales. It is not found on Ben Lawers.
Amphidium mougeotii (probably)
I've described this moss in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 1 section of the site. The rare A.lapponicum also occurs on Ben Lawers, and can be distinguished by its shorter seta.
Hedwigiales
There are only three members of this family in Britain: H.stellata, H.ciliata and H.integrifolia. The first two species are recorded from Ben Lawers.
Hedwigia stellata
On acidic rocks this fairly large moss grows as irrregular patches which look pale due to the white triangular leaf tips. It favours unshaded, exposed sites, and often grows mixed with Racomitrium species and a variety of lichens.
Hypnales
Thuidium sp
Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the photo as much as possible (Thuidiums need microscopic analysis to be be absolutely certain of the species)!
Palustriella falcata
This attractive golden-brown moss is common in base-rich flushes on the Lawers range. Its irregularly pinnate branching habit, branches which are about the same thickness as the main stems, and strongly curved leaves give it a distinctive look.
Warnstorfia sarmentosa
The red tints of this upland moss often draw attention to its presence in base-rich flushes on Ben Lawers. Its spear-shaped branches make it look like a red version of Calliergonella cuspidata (see below) but that species has pinnate branching and leaves which lack a nerve.
Calliergon giganteum (probably)
The blunt-leaved, highly-branched stems of this relatively uncommon wetland moss can be seen in base-rich flushes on Ben Lawers. No other species shares the same densely-branched habit of this large moss, and it should be able to identified with relative ease if this feature is borne in mind. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for identifying this photo.
Straminergon stramineum
This widespread moss of damp habitats is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 2 section of the site. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the ID.
Scorpidium scorpioides
The most widespread of Britain's three Scorpidium species, this moss is a classic indicator of base-rich upland flushes, and is abundant on the Lawers range. The dark red-brown shoots are characteristically swollen in appearance (unlike S.revolvens) and individual leaves are wide and virtually nerveless. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identification.
Scorpidium revolvens
Although similar in colour to S.scorpioides (see above), this moss is very distinct in appearance, and once seen, the two species are not likely to be confused. The stems of S.revolvens are much narrower (not swollen in appearance), and the leaves are strongly curved, narrow, and have a nerve. This moss is common in the many base-rich flushes on the slopes of Ben Lawers. Thanks to Fred Rumsey for confirming the ID.
Pseudocalliergon trifarium
Very much a specialist of base-rich montane mires, this rare moss is best searched for in Scorpidium-rich flushes and boggy areas on the slopes of Ben Lawers at moserate elevation. Key identification features are the brownish, unbranched shoots (at least in the visible parts) with golden yellow tips. Each shoot is spear-shaped due to the appressed concave leaves.
Brachythecium rivulare
This common Brachythecium is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 2 section of the site.
Myurella julacea (probably)
A tiny moss restricted to high altitudes in Scotland and the Lake District (with other occurrences in Northern Ireland), this moss is always a nice find on Ben Lawers. It grows in crevices and on soil where the substrate is base-rich. The short shoots have closely appressed leaves, giving the shoots a worm-like appearance (hence the Latin name). The much rarer M.tenerrima also occurs on Ben Lawers, but can be distinguished by its less appressed leaves which have a recurved tip. It also favours drier habitats. Thanks to Fred Rumsey for confirming the ID.
Orthothecium rufescens
This beautiful moss is always a welcome sight in the uplands, where it is characteristic of base-rich damp crags - always an excellent place to try and find rarer bryophytes. No other British moss shares the intense red clour and fine-leaved scrambling habit of O.rufescens, and this species cannot be confused with another when growing typically.
Plagiothecium undulatum
This very common and distinctive moss is described in the Bryophytes of the Lake District & Cumbria section of the site.
Calliergonella cuspidata
This very common moss is typical of base-rich flushes on Ben Lawers. It can be recognised by its spear-shaped pointed branches and leaves which have an almost absent double nerve. Thanks to Tom Blockeel for confirming the identification.
Hypnum cupressiforme
One of the world's most ubiquitous mosses, this very variable species is similarly abundant on Ben Lawers. The best distinguishing features for H.cupressiforme are the beaked lid of its capsules (not present in these photos) and strongly curved leaves which taper to a long, fine point and often lack a nerve. Infertile specimens often need microscopical analysis, as many features of Hypnum species overlap to some degree.
Ctenidium molluscum
This very common moss is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 2 section of the site.
Ctenidium procerrimum
This extremely rare moss is one of the very special bryophytes of Ben Lawers. It is restricted to scattered patches on a few rock outcrops at high altitude. It looks very similar to C.molluscum, which is abundant in the same habitat, but can be distinguished by its flattened shoots and leaves which have untoothed margins. Ben Lawers is one of only three sites for this moss in Britain.
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
This common grassland moss is described in the Mosses of Derbyshire part 2 section of the site.
Rhytidiadelphus sp
Thanks to Tom Blockeel & Fred Rumsey for suggesting the identification.
