National Assessment of Rare Notchworts

Description

Over the years, there has been much taxonomic confusion and changes surrounding the Norfolk Flapwort. This species was previously classified as Leiocolea rutheana var. laxa, and thought to be entirely restricted to Scarning fen in Norfolk, with Leiocolea rutheana var. rutheana restricted to Cumbria, but historically found in Norfolk too. Current taxonomy identifies the Norfolk flapwort as Gillmans notchwort (Mesoptychia gillmanii var. laxa) and Leiocolea rutheana as the fen notchwort (Mesoptychia rutheana). There is currently a need to review and reassess the status of both of these species both today and looking back at their historic status through review of herbarium specimens.