Rare moss

Rare moss

17 November 2010

A rare moss which lives mainly on thatched roofs is now believed more widespread than previously thought after it was discovered at 10 new locations in the West Country.

Populations of the 1cm-high Leptodontium gemmascens (thatch moss, pictured above) had been dwindling because of modern thatching techniques. In recent years the moss had been found at only eight sites in southern England.

Now, however, a survey funded by Natural England has found 10 previously undiscovered colonies across Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire. Several are on buildings owned by the National Trust, including its shop at Selworthy in North Somerset where 3,000 plants were found – now the largest known population of thatch moss in the world.

• The National Trust is keen to find other thatch moss colonies and would like to hear from owners or tenants of thatched houses who may have the moss on their roofs. Further information, including pictures to help identify the moss