Cryphaea lamyana Multi-fruited River-moss

Cryphaea lamyana
©David Holyoak

This is a robust moss that occurs on the roots of Ash or Sycamore on the banks of a few rivers in south-west England and south-west Wales.

The main threats are probably the re-alignment of riverbanks and removal of riverside trees, but water pollution and river dredging are also serious problems.

It is protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 and is listed as Vulnerable in the British Red Data Book.