<i>Timmia megapolitana</i>Hedw. (Bryopsida, Timmiales) new to the British Isles

Abstract

The moss Timmia megapolitana is reported new to the British Isles. It occurs in an area of freshwater tidal Salix carr in the Norfolk Broads and differs from the other two species of Timmia in Britain and Ireland in leaf form and anatomy, sexuality and habitat. In the field Timmia megapolitana is most likely to be passed over as Atrichum undulatum, and since access to the area is difficult there is the possibility that it has been present for many years. The habitat and ecology shows a remarkable similarity to that in the Netherlands, the nearest European locality. Rare in Europe, the plant also occurs in Finland, northern Russia and Siberia, regions that provide staging posts and breeding grounds for migratory birds that over-winter in Norfolk.