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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Bryophyte Notes for 1963
By E. Saunders
The winter of 1963 was very severe and during this time the
mud banks of streams and ditches were frozen hard. After the
thaw the banks broke away and fell into the streams to be either
swept away or covered by water. This is the kind of weather
action that would account for the rarity or absence of many
species from Essex. Few, if any, of the Essex rivers have
a permanent banking which would give bryophytes a firm
anchorage, a fact very much in contrast to the stability of the
rivers in western counties. This is a mechanical barrier which
would prevent many species from persisting.
New Species for Essex
MOSSES
It is fortunate that the Essex Naturalist's Trust has aroused an
interest in the Fingringhoe Wick area which is now a Nature
Reserve. Two visits were made during the year and each occasion
produced excellent results. During National Nature Week of May
18-25, Mr S. T. Jermyn discovered a species of Philonotis which
was considered to be Philonotis caespitosa, but there has been a
certain amount of controversy about this with the referees, and it
has still to be determined accurately. It is hoped that a report
can be given next year, but in any case it is thought that it is a
species new to North Essex.
On July 20 a Club meeting was held there and two further
species were added to the Essex list. These were: —
Bryum pendulum (Hornsch.) Schimp., v.c. 19.
Bryum knowltonii Barnes (B. lacustre (Web. & Mohr.) Bland),
v.c. 19.
The first of these has probably been overlooked as there is
difficulty in the indentification which depends on the irregular
patterning on the peristome teeth; a distinctive character of the
Ptychostomum group.
The second can be considered an exceptional find. Dr
Warburg states that he has had no voucher of this species since he
has been recording for mosses. He considers that it must be
very rare at the present day. It is a synoicous species like the
above but has a very distinctive small pear shaped capsule with a
small lid.
Bryum pendulum (Hornsch.) Schimp. Grays chalk pit;
August 1963, v.c. 18.
Hygroamblystegium tenax (Hedw.) Jennings. Growing on
concrete by the River Lea, south of Waltham Abbey; August 12,
1962, v.c. 18.
Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Brid. Under trees in St
Thomas's Quarters, Epping Forest, near the Wake Arms; Novem-