Ulota hutchinsiae
Ulota hutchinsiae (Sm.) Hammar
Ulota americana (P. Beauv.) Limpr.3
Orthotrichaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial moss. Tufts lax, dark green to brownish black towards base, 1–2 cm high. Leaves rigid, erect or slightly curved inward when dry, lanceolate, in lower part with incurved margins. Nerve very strong, reddish or brown. Sporophyte ellipsoid, with longitudinal folds; after spore release hardly contracted below mouth. Bisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on rocks forming small tufts.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western – Iskar River valley between the towns of Svoge and Tserovo), Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts (near Rila Monastery).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia) and other parts of Europe, Japan, North America. Northern sub-oceanic/montane species.
Threats. Air pollution.
Conservation measures taken. The species locality near Rila Monastery is within Rila Monastery Nature Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term study, assessment of the trends in habitat changes, prognosis for population development and recommendation of appropriate conservation measures.
References. Podpéra 1911; Stefanoff & Petrov 1962; Šmarda 1970.
Author: Anna Ganeva
