In today’s winter light the mossy fringe on Kings Cross’s buttresses stood out particularly vividly. It’s lovely to see some natural growth in what is a harsh canyon, despite the trees on the East side. And in the warm weather it seems to be growing vigorously. It’s always good for an old lady to have moss on her buttresses – anyone know what variety it is? And is it flowering in a mossy-way? Let’s hope Network Rail don’t kill it off – the buttresses are an odd part of the station – put in to shore things up in the arches fairly early in the station’s life.
I noticed all this wonderful moss and it’s green hue this morning on my way to the station..and when I got this update it was like you read my mind! lol
Looks pretty but unfortunately is likely to damage the brickwork (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historic-scotland.gov.uk%2Finformguide-brick.pdf&ei=k_H9Uu6pC4PW7QbP7IDIBQ&usg=AFQjCNEX5jfDvSf9wxMCuAZIqRmYztPa2Q&bvm=bv.61190604,d.ZGU&cad=rja)
This moss is dreadful especially since Network Rail recently attended to the point work etc. in the bricks and mortar. It should be removed asap.
Over at Wild About Britain the sphagnum experts have identified the moss as the common Tortula muralis. Reading the document Claire kindly posted it seems likely that the moss is growing here because the brickwork is porous and saturated – indeed it is on the more or less horizontal bits. So it’s a wider issue than just pointing.
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/non-flowering-plants/118274-kings-cross-train-station-what-type-moss.html#post1052887