Eurhynchium pumilum
Eurhynchium pumilum (Wilson) Schimp.
Brachytheciaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial pleurocarpous moss forming soft yellow to bright green mats. Shoots 1–2 cm long, prostrate, sparsely irregularly branched. Branches filiform, horizontally spreading, complanate. Leaves 2–3 times longer than wide, ovoid lanceolate, gradually tapering, margin entire or slightly dentate in the upper part, leaf apex flat, not twisted. Nerve single, reaches 1/2 to 4/5 of the leaf length. Unisexual. Spore capsule horizontal, oval, lid with elongate rostrum, seta papillate.
Habitats and populations. Grows on soil on road banks, along streams, on calcareous rocks covered with soil, and rock crevices in shaded broadleaf forests. The populations have restricted distribution and low density.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sredna Gora Mts (Western – Gulubets and above village of Pasarel).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula, Europe, Caucasus, SW Asia, N Africa, Macaronesia, Australia. Sub-continental/sub-Mediterranean species.
Threats. Major negative factor is habitat destruction and degradation due to forest felling. The small number of populations makes the species vulnerable to stochastic processes. The species has restricted dispersal ability.
Conservation measures taken. None.
Conservation measures needed. To study the dynamics of numbers and area of the populations, as well as the biology and ecology of the species in Bulgaria, to elucidate the threatening factors and monitor the populations.
References. Stefanoff 1971.
Author: Rayna Natcheva
