Scientific name	Racomitrium lanuginosum – Hypnum jutlandicum scree community
Common name	Woolly Fringe-moss – Heath Plait-moss scree community
Community code	RH2C

 

          

Download full pdf synopsis: RH2C

 

Vegetation

This is essentially a bryophyte community with little cover provided by vascular plants. There are three constant species, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Diplophyllum albicans and Hypnum jutlandicum. Of these, Racomitrium lanuginosum tends to be the most abundant, often forming large patches across the rocks. Scapania gracilis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Campylopus flexuosus, Hylocomium splendens and Isothecium myosuroides are all frequently encountered. Vaccinium myrtillus is the only frequent vascular plant, but Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea are both occasional; in association with some of the more robust pleurocarpous mosses, these species can add a heathy element to the vegetation. Between the larger rocks, Saxifraga spathularis, Dryopteris dilatata and Hymenophyllum wilsonii are also occasional.

 

Ecology

This is a community of sparsely vegetated siliceous scree in the uplands. Soils, where they accumulate, are skeletal. Conditions are acidic, fairly dry and infertile.

 

Sub-communities

No formal sub-communities have been described for this community.

 

Similar communities

In the RH2B Racomitrium fasciculare – Festuca vivipara scree community, Racomitrium fasciculare and Breutelia chrysocoma are much more frequent and grass species are more prevalent.

 

Conservation value

Examples of this community qualify as EU HD Annex I habitat 8110 Siliceous scree.

 

Management

Some more accessible areas of this vegetation may be sheep-grazed but it is essentially unmanaged.