Photo
by Dr M Lueth ©.
*1: Near Redruth, 1861, WC (PNZ) (Paton 1969a:
721). (Vc1 placed in brackets because no recent records: Paton
1969a: 721, Crundwell 1971: 200).
*2: Polperro, 1916, FR (BM) (Paton 1969a:
721). [According to Paton 1969a: 721, earlier reports (Bodmin,
1878, RVT, in Braithwaite 1887-1905) not supported by
specimens, or based on misidentified T. truncata (Tregawn
Withiel, RVT (B),
in Tellam 1892; and other gatherings in (B)). (Vc2 placed in
brackets because no recent records: Paton 1969a: 721,
Crundwell 1971: 200).
+2: Waste ground beside creek, old slate quarry,
Bodieve, near Wadebridge [SW 9873], 1964, JAP 709 det. EFW,
conf. MOH, conf. 1998 TLB) (BBSUK, E) [this is
apparently not the record listed in Paton 1969a: 721].
Not consistently recorded in Cornwall in recent years because it is
apparently a taxon of dubious validity, although it is
reported to be consistently distinct from T. truncata in
morphology and habitats in other parts of Britain and e.g. in S.
Sweden. Apparently
intermediate Cornish specimens differ from T. truncata and resemble
T. modica in their large
size and long capsules but have only a single row of smaller
cells at mouth of capsule (e.g. DTH 94-414) or mainly
two such rows (DTH
00-37, 01-1002). Some such 'intermediates' also have rather
strongly recurved leaf margins (e.g. DTH 94-480, 01-1002).
Care is also needed in distinguishing T. modica from T. viridifolia, the main
differences from the latter being the less papillose leaf
cells and less rounded leaf apex, but poor specimens can be
indistinguishable.
The few recent Cornish records of T. modica had the
following habitat notes (implying that it occurs in much the
same habitats as T. truncata). Pendennis
Point: on soil of slope above sea-cliffs of slaty rock,
unshaded, growing near T. viridifolia. Near Tregunna: on
soil near edge of barley field, partly shaded by crop. Edge of
Upton Towans: on partly bare patches along pathway in
grassland at landward edge of dunes, on sandy soil. Coverack:
small amounts in thin soil along middle of gravelly track,
unshaded. W. of Bodieve: unshaded partly bare [somewhat
basic?] soil of field gateway near edge of estuary (associates
Barbula convoluta,
Bryum ruderale, Microbryum rectum, Phascum cuspidatum
var.
cuspidatum). Efford Down: patch on dry exposed partly bare
soil at top edge of sea-cliff. Trewella
Park
(SW85E): patch of bare loamy soil on unshaded bank near water
of fishing lake.
Commonly c.fr.: capsules immature 3, 4, 6, 10, 11;
dehiscing 1, [10], dehisced 3, 7, 11.
|