Liverworts,
Mosses, Lichens, Fungi & Seaweed
The lower plants and fungi have
been well studied on Dawlish Warren over the years, this page only gives an
example of species recorded, more detailed lists are yet to be uploaded to the site. We hope to be able to publish
these pages in the near future, but if you have any records you can add to this
database please send them on. All
information will of course be forwarded to the reserve wardens.
A 1997 visit by David Holyoak and other members
of the BBS discovered the presence of the internationally rare species Petalwort
Petalophylum ralfsii growing on the reserve. This species is found
on dune systems and its occurrence, along with the wealth of other rare species
present was a major factor in the awarding of Special Area of Conservation
status to the reserve. The same visit also found Weedy Frillwort Fossombronia
incurva, which was a first for Devon!
At least 37 species of Mosses and Liverworts had been recorded on site prior to 2000, including the nationally rare Rabbit Moss Cheilothela chloropus. Since then work by Frank Bryan has recorded the following species.
Bryum algovicum (Drooping Thread-moss): pioneer species found on seaward dune ridge
Brachythecium albicans (Whitish Feather-moss): widely distributed
on dune ridge and on drier areas of dune grassland
Bryum capillare (Capillary Thread-moss): widespread throughout
site
Tortula ruraliformis (Screw-moss): pioneer species widely
distributed on mobile dune and stable dune grassland
Ceratodon purpureus (Redshank):
found on bare acid soil in Greenland Lake
Brachythecium rutabulum (Rough-stalked
Feather-moss): damp woodland on decaying logs, leaf litter and base of
trees.
Brachythecium mildeanum (Sand
Feather-moss): only found in one location on dune ridge.
Dicranum scoparium (Broom
Fork-moss): common throughout dune grassland
Polytrichum juniperinum (Juniper
Haircap): characteristic of more fixed dune grassland
Campylium polygannum (Starry
Feather-moss): found in small fenced off area of Dune Slack close to visitor
centre
Campylopus introflexus (Heath
Star Moss): found at several locations on dune grassland.
Eurhynchium praelongum (Striated
Feather-moss): common in shady areas and damp woodland.
Pseudoscleropodium purum
(Neat Feather-moss): common grassland species.
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
(Springy Turf-moss): common grassland species.
Calliergonella cuspidata
(Pointed Spear-moss): common species of wet grassland and dune slacks.
Fissidens adianthoides (Maidenhair
Pocket-moss): found at one locality in a wet hollow on the of Greenland
Lake.
Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Marsh
Bryum): common in dune slack.
Barbula convoluta (Bird's-claw
Beard-moss): common species of shallow and stony ground.
Metzagaria furcata (Forked
Veilwort): epiphyte; dark green liverwort found on trunk and branches on
willow
Frullania tamarisci (Tamarisk
Scalewort): epiphyte; purple liverwort found on trunk and branches of
willows.
Brachythecium rivulare (River
Feather-moss): found in damp woodland.
Cryphaea heteromalla (Lateral
Cryphaea): characteristic epiphyte of elders, apple and other trees and
associated with O.affine and Z. viridissimus.
Orthotrichum affine (Wood
Bristle-moss): dark green epiphyte found on on tree branches and trunks.
Rhynchostegium confertum
(Clustered Feather-moss): irregularly branched and silky moss found at
base of several tree species.
Isothecium mysorouides (Slender
Mouse-tail Moss): base of mature willow.
Ulota crispa (Crisped
Pincushion): dark green epiphyte on tree branches and trunks.
Ulota pylantha (Frizzled
Pincushion): epiphyte found on several trees.
Orthotrichum diaphanum (White-tipped
Bristle-moss): epiphyte characterised by thich hyaline point; found on
mature elders.
Tortula laevipila (Awl-leaved
Screw-moss): characteristic epiphyte of elders, apple and other trees and
associated with O.affine and Z. viridissimus.
Zygodon viridissimus (Green
Yoke-moss): distinctive diminutive lemony-green epiphyte found on elder.
H.cupresiforme var respunatum
(Supine Plait-moss): found at the base of trees.
Hypnum cupressiforme
var.
filiforme (Plait-moss):
found on trunks and branches of many trees.
Hypnum cupressiforme
var
tectorum (Cypress-leaved
Plait-moss): common grassland species.
Hypnum cupressiforme
var
ericetorum (Plait-moss):
common grassland species.
Funaria hygrometrica (Common
Cord-moss): large mass of drooping green and orange capsules on coiled seta
found around fire sites.
The lichen flora of mobile dune systems is
limited and the ones found here are “mostly unexciting”. A full list of the
species recorded is not available, but Ramalina fraxinea, Parmelia
carporrhizans and Parmelia pastillifera have been
recorded growing on Sycamores on site. The UK BAP species Pyrenocollema (Collemopsidium)
pelvetiae has been recorded from seaweed, its favoured substrate, on the
Exe and Teign estuaries and may occur within the recording area.
Over 250 different species of macro-fungi have
been recorded on site, but the current status of many is uncertain. Five of
these species were new to science when first recorded here Conocye
dunensis, Cortinarius fulvosquarrosus, Leptonia
inocybeoides, Naucoria cephalescens and Nolanea
sericeonitens. Other species
that regularly grow here, but are not identified to species, include puffballs,
stinkhorns, bird’s nests, earthstars and eyelash fungi. The Blackening
Waxcap Hygrocybe conica grows in around Greenland Lake, but numbers
have declined recently, also around Greenland Lake and the Golf Course Horse
Mushroom Agaricus arvensis can be found. The Sand Stinkhorn Phallus
hadrianii has been recorded from the Dune Ridge.
Along with other aspects of the marine biology
of the recording area, this is a group for which there are currently no records
available for the site. All records and help would be appreciated and of course
credited.