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
Known only from the Isles of Scilly and in Dorset, but undoubtedly an alien in Europe that probably originated in the S. Hemisphere. The original Tresco (Isles of Scilly) locality is near to the extensive Abbey Gardens, at which numerous exotic vascular plants have been introduced. The species has also been reported from Wisley Gardens in Surrey but that population is now referred to T. tetradactyla (Hook.f. & Taylor) E.A.Hodgs. (syn. T. longii Paton).
Regional Distribution
Discovered in Abbey Wood, Tresco in 1961 (Paton, 1965), plentiful there in 1995 and
increased further by 2003. Discovered at two localities on St. Mary' s (SV91A) in 2003, so apparently spreading.
Habitat & Ecology
On Tresco it forms extensive sheets on shaded acidic ground and decaying, fallen wood in a plantation of conifers, mainly Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa . The species is known only by male plants.
Threats
No immediate threats are apparent and the species appears to be increasing (see
above).
Conservation
None.
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.