*1: Trefusis near
Falmouth, 1839, EAW
(TRU) (Paton 1969a: 740-741).
*2: Trehane near
Probus, 1861, ES (TRU) (Paton 1969a:
740-741).
Forms dense low tufts or cushions, sometimes
expanding to become sizeable patches. Notes on habitats in
C&S are as follows. Common both as epiphyte and on
masonry, frequent also on natural rocks, growing in open and
partly to heavily shaded. Epiphytic on bark of trunks and
branches of varied trees and shrubs, especially those with
nutrient-rich bark, tending to prefer inclined or horizontal
to vertical surfaces. Common on Ash, Elder, elms, Grey Willow,
Sycamore, also recorded on Hazel and oaks (including once on
evergreen oak in parkland); twice on Cupressus macrocarpa.
Common associates of epiphytes include Hypnum cupressiforme
var. resupinatum,
Metzgeria furcata,
Orthotrichum
diaphanum; less common include Microlejeunea ulicina,
Orthotrichum
tenellum, Radula
lindenbergiana, Syntrichia laevipila,
Zygodon conoideus,
Zygodon rupestris.
Extends down into flood-zone on tree trunks beside R. Tamar.
Commonly also on basic masonry, of old concrete,
weathered mortar, old bricks or associated rocks, on mortared
walls, bridges, and ruins, or fallen masonry debris (prefers
dry sites and commonly on vertical surfaces, but also on those
that are sloping or horizontal). Sometimes persists on old
masonry after it becomes rather heavily shaded. On rock of
outcrops or cliffs recorded from serpentinite, gabbro, slate
and hard shale, less often granite, occurring also on rock of
gravestones, unmortared walls, in old quarries, in rocky banks
or road cuttings and in 'hedges'. Associates on rock and
masonry include Sciuro-hypnum
populeum, Didymodon
rigidulus, Fissidens dubius, Grimmia pulvinata, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortula muralis;
rarely Cirriphyllum
crassinervium, Pseudocrossidium
revolutum, Radula
complanata, Syntrichia laevipila,
Tortula atrovirens,
Tortula
cuneifolia.
Tolerant of salt spray since it occurs on walls in
exposed places in Scilly and sometimes abundant on elm trees
there, where few other epiphytes occur. Often plentiful also
on Elders in scrub on exposed cliff tops and slopes above
cliffs in Cornwall. Unusual records
from old decorticated wood (once) and of a small patch on hard
vertical soil of pathside bank above sea-cliff, near Elder
scrub.
Only recorded with foliar gemmae, which appear to
be invariably present and often abundant. Occasionally c.fr.
[although capsules often few]: capsules immature 1-4, 10-12;
dehiscing 3, 4; dehisced 4, 6, 9 [12
old].