During an amble around Llandaff
Cathedral yesterday a total of 29 species of bryophyte were noted on the walls,
masonry and between the cobbles. The list included two noteworthy calcicoles, Curving Feather-moss Scorpiurium
circinatum and Shady Beard-moss Didymodon
umbrosus, both in the more humid habitats around the base of the cathedral walls. Unfortunately I never took any photos in situ, but for the record below is a pic of Shady Beard-moss taken under the microscope.
Perhaps the most prominent species was Common Liverwort Marchantia
polymorpha subsp. ruderalis,
which was abundant between the cobbles at the base of the building along with
other species of general interest such as Rigid Beard-moss Didymodon rigidulus, Spiral
Extinguisher-moss Encalypta streptocarpa and Wavy Beard-moss Didymodon
sinuosus. A more methodical search would certainly
produce a longer list and maybe a few more surprises.
There's a good variety of lichens in the garveyard at Llandaff Cathedral too - despite having the book by Dobson on lichens I haven't found the time to get into them yet! What do you use to take the photos down your 'scope? I've got a camera that I can fit into mine, but it takes dreadful pictures compared to yours!
ReplyDeleteI just hold my phone to the eye piece
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I must be the only person in the UK whose phone is just that, a phone but not a camera! I obviously need to get a bit more tech savvy!
ReplyDeleteThese mobile phone cameras seem to be ideal for taking photos down microscopes,with a small lens, tucked away out of harms way and no delicate, exterior moving parts to damage while lining it up with the eyepiece... oh and they take good photos too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff Barry. I've never looked for bryophytes at the cathedral, although it's only about a mile from my house. I'm still very much a beginner anyway and probably wouldn't have spotted, or been able to identify, most of the species you mention.
ReplyDeleteGeorge