The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.
Range & Status
The species is widespread in Europe, Macaronesia, N. Africa and temperate parts of Asia, but var. morensis has a more restricted range in S. and W. Europe, being the predominant form in Portugal (Sergio & Carvalho, 2003) and extending east to the Ukraine and Turkey. British records of this variety are thinly scattered, from Cornwall, Dorset and Surrey north to Scotland (Easterness).
Regional Distribution
Known at three sites: E. of St Just (SW33V), S. of Treviscoe (SW95M) and at Poundstock (SX29E).
Habitat & Ecology
Two of the Cornish sites each have a single substantial patch on steeply inclined concrete of old walls of china-clay ' dries' . At Poundstock it occurs on the roof of the historic Gildhouse near the church. Var. morensis bears capsules less infrequently than does var. sciuroides , but they have not been recorded in Cornwall. The species reproduces vegetatively by means of deciduous branchlets.
Threats
Growth of Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and other scrub could eventually shade the wall at the site E. of St. Just, rendering it unsuitable. At Poundstock the species is potentially vulnerable to maintenance work on the Gildhouse roof.
Conservation
The owner of the St. Just site is aware of the plant and the need to protect its habitat. The church-wardens and others responsible for the Gildhouse at Poundstock are also aware of the need to protect this moss when works on the roof are carried out.
I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.
The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.