Filmy-ferns along the Afon Nedd

Wilson's Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum wilsonii)

Tunbridge Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense)

On Tuesday (1st March) Charles Hipkin showed me colonies of both of Britain's filmy-ferns along a section of the Afon Nedd just over the border in Breconshire VC42. Tunbridge Filmy-fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense) was more abundant with two populations growing as more-or-less pure stands on vertical cliffs, whereas Wilson's Filmy-fern (H. wilsonii) was noted in just one location amongst a weft of mosses.

Indusium valves smooth-edged on Wilson's

Indusium valves toothed on Tunbridge

Bryophytes were very prominent at this site with a good number of noteworthy species such as the curiously named Greater Whipwort (Bazzania trilobata).

For more bryophytes from this site see http://moonmoths.blogspot.com/2011/03/brophytes-along-afon-nedd-above-pont.html