Wet heath is an important part of the habitat mosaic at Fairwood Common and last week I came across a few patches of
Compact Bog-moss (
Sphagnum compactum) in one of the mechanically managed areas. This species is listed as 'very rare' [in Glamorgan] by Perry in the
Flora of Glamorgan, 1994, who identifies only two sites, although I know it has been discovered elsewhere since publication.
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| Compact Bog-moss & shoots of Bog-moss Flapwort |
Growing in and on the
Sphagnum cushion I noticed a leafy liverwort (the reddish shoots shown above) and with assistance from Sam Bosanquet, I was able to identify it as
Bog-moss Flapwort (
Odontoschisma sphagni), another species listed by Perry as 'rare' in Glamorgan. It is likely however, that this diminutive species is under-recorded and further searching will reveal its presence at similar sites elsewhere in the county.
A much more conspicuous component of wet heaths is the
Hare's-tail Cottongrass (
Eriophorum vaginatum), which was just starting to flower (the white 'cottony' seeds develop later).
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| Hare's-tail Cottongrass |
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