Bryophytes » Pottiaceae » Hennediella heimii Heim's Pottia

Hennediella heimii Heim's Pottia

(Hedw.) R.H.Zander

An autoicous, halophytic, acrocarpous moss which forms imcospicuous yellow-green or brownish tufts. It grows on bare, salty soils at the upper end of salt marshes and other similar habitats that have a brackish character. However, it avoids areas where it would be flooded with seawater for prolonged periods. It is more easily spotted when it is producing sporophyte capsules and it is one of very few bryophytes you are likely to encounter in a saline habitat; salt tolerance is a very rare attribute in bryophytes. Its British distribution is almost entirely coastal although it is only locally frequent along the southeast coast of Wales. It is frequent along the upper saltmarsh regions of north Gower in West Glamorgan and scattered rather infrequently along the coastal parts of south Gower, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. It also occurs along roadside verges where salt spreading has occured. Sporophyte capsules are abundant and may be recorded throughout the year, but mainly from spring to summer.

Hennediella heimii - © Barry Stewart
Hennediella heimii - © Barry Stewart

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