*1: Trengwainton near
Penzance, 1844, AG
(PNZ) (Paton 1969a: 740).
*2: St Clether's Well
near Tresmeer, 1901, CEL (NMW) (Paton 1969a:
740). This record is older than that published as new for vc2
by Warburg (1962: 372).
Although sometimes difficult to distinguish from
forms of Philonotis
fontana and hybrids may occur, detailed studies suggest P. caespitosa is best
regarded as a distinct species (Buryová 2004; Blanka Shaw
pers. comm.). In the present study material placed as this
taxon was small and had leaves of mature growth (from low on
stems or among tomentum of rhizoids) that lacked plicae in the
base, had non-recurved margin with single teeth, and cells
rectangular throughout leaf and not much larger in its basal
part. However, intermediates apparently occur that cannot be
dismissed as just poorly grown P. fontana.
Grows as scattered stems or small patches (lawns).
Notes on habitats in Cornwall are as follows. Small amounts on
damp or wet soil at edges of tracks, unshaded or almost
unshaded, e.g. beside an old wet track through Grey Willow
carr. Plentiful in a damp grass ley near Retire Common, with
Brachythecium
mildeanum, Brachythecium
rutabulum, Oxyrrhynchium hians,
Kindbergia
praelonga, Phaeoceros laevis. On
wet soil of low earthy hummocks in open acidic flush (with Fossombronia
wondraczekii). In small quantity on stony sediment in
upper part of inundation-zone beside Cargenwen Reservoir,
amongst sparse low vegetation (with Archidium
alternifolium, Chamaemelum
nobile).
Not seen c.fr.