Spatelmos [Homalia trichomanoides (Hedw.) Schimp.] langs de Dinkel

The moss Homalia trichomanoides is reported for the valley of the small river Dinkel, where it was discovered in four localities. Probably it has been overlooked sofar and is no recent acquisition. In one station it occurs on lying trunks and branches of Salix cinerea; a ‘relevé’ of the moss vegetation on these is given. It corresponds with moss communities described by Barkman (1958), especially with the Chiloscypho-Mnietum occurring in the freshwater tidal area at the lower course of the great rivers. This adds to other similarities in flora and vegetation between the Dinkel valley and the freshwater tidal area. In three stations Homalia trichomanoides was recorded on the lowermost parts of Quercus robur trunks, less than half a metre above ground level. The trunks are subject to inundation in winter, and silt deposition appears to compensate the acidity and oligotrophy of the Quercus bark which is normally unsuited to Homalia. Along the Dinkel, on the other hand, the moss was not seen on neighbouring Fraxinus and Populus, whilst especially the former is a favourite phorophyte of Homalia elsewhere.