Orthotrichum urnigerum
Orthotrichum urnigerum Myrin
Orthotrichaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial acrocarpous moss forming lax light green to brownish tufts. Shoots 2–3 cm long, weakly branched. Leaves lanceolate to oval-lanceolate, shortly pointed, margin recurved throughout the entire length. Nerve well developed, ends just below apex. Bisexual. Spore capsule entirely or to the middle hidden in the perichaetial leaves, cylindrical to oval, with 8 longer and 8 shorter, darker lines. Outer peristome teeth 16, yellow, erect when dry; inner peristome segments 16, shorter than the outer teeth. Calyptra broadly bell-shaped, with papillate hairs.
Habitats and populations. Epilithic on shaded, mainly silicate rocks. The populations have restricted distribution, low density and low growth rate.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt – at the stone-pits above Vladaya village).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania), N, W and C Europe, Caucasus, C Asia. Oceanic montane species.
Threats. The negative factors are unclear. The species is sensitive to acid rains. Therefore it is likely that the major factor is air pollution in the valley of Vladayska River due to the heavy traffic through the Vladaya gorge, the industrial factories and the thermoelectric power station near Pernik and its surroundings.
Conservation measures taken. None.
Conservation measures needed. To study the dynamics of the numerical strength 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. Arnaudoff 1914.
Author: Rayna Natcheva
