Bryophytes of springs and flushes - 2009 course notes - Plantlife

M10 Carex dioica – Pinguicula vulgaris mire and M11 Carex viridula subsp. oedocarpa
– Saxifrage aizoides mire
Most calcareous flushes in the hills belong to these two communities and the two can be
difficult to separate. Both can occur as open, stony flushes but M10 generally has a more
prominent vascular plant cover. The bryophytes are often the same in both communities;
most consistent in the open stony areas are common species like Scorpidium scorpioides,
Drepanocladus revolvens, Blindia acuta, Aneura pinguis (below bottom right), Campylium
stellatum var stellatum, Ctenidium molluscum and occasionally Pseudocalliergon trifarium
(below bottom left). The hummocks and margins of the flushes often have a greater diversity
of species including rare and scarce species including Meesia uliginosa (top right) . The
BAP species Tayloria lingulata is restricted to these two flush communities and M12, usually
on hummocks within the flush. Another BAP species, Splachnum vasculosum, can form long
stands along the margins of the flush.
M12 Carex saxatilis mire
This uncommon flush type usually has a more complete and taller cover than M10 and M11
with Carex saxatilis dominant but usually with other sedges. It is often not as strongly
calcareous as the most diverse M10 and M11 flushes and is usually above 600m. The
bryophytes are similar to M10 and M11 but often less diverse but a number of rarities do
occur here including Tayloria lingulata.
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