Petalophyllum ralfsii Petalwort
Petalophyllum ralfsii © David Holyoak
This attractive liverwort has dissected edges to its fronds, giving the appearance of small petals. It grows in damp hollows, especially in sand dune slacks, and is currently found at about 26 sites in the UK.
Current threats include the reduction of grazing and encroachment of scrub, changes in water levels, nutrient enrichment and those associated with recreational use such as car parking.
It is protected by Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Links
Species dossier
Read about the current status of this plant (PDF 1.1mb)
Management advice
A leaflet, Looking after rare mosses and liverworts in coastal dune slacks, provides advice for conserving this liverwort and other threatened bryophytes of dune slacks.(PDF 600kb)
UK BAP
This liverwort is part of the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan. Click here to find out more.