Western Rustwort

Taxobox
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Marchantiophyta
classis = Jungermanniopsida
ordo = Jungermanniales
familia = Gymnomitriaceae
genus = "Marsupella"
species = "M. profunda"
binomial = "Marsupella profunda"
binomial_authority = Lindb.

Western Rustwort "Marsupella profunda" is a liverwort.

The species is rare in a British context; it is known from just three locations, all in west Cornwall. Two of these sites are protected as the Lower Bostraze and Leswidden SSSI and the other as St Austell Claypits SSSI. It is also internationally rare, being known only from Portugal, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira; throughout this range it is a rare species.

At the Lower Bostraze and Leswidden SSSI, Western Rustwort is generally found growing on micaceous or clay waste substrates which are flat or gently sloping. Some patches occur on granitic rocks,usually where these are soft or crumbling. It appears to be a pioneer species, the largest populations being found on surfaces showing the early stages of colonisation by other bryophytes and by vascular plants.

The species has several conservation designations. It is listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in Appendix 1 of the Bern Convention, and in Annex II of the European Community Habitats and Species Directive.

References

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