Buxbaumia viridis is a well-known species of decaying deadwood, which is protected in Europe. All previous studies dealing with the ecology of B. viridis rely on the sporophyte generation because the gametophyte generation is allegedly undetectable. Recent advances have shown that the protonemal stage, including gemmae, is recognizable in the field, thereby considerably modifying our perception of the species’ range and habitat. In France, we demonstrate the existence of independent protonemal populations, with the implication that the range of B. viridis is widely underestimated. Sporophytes and sterile protonema do not share the same ecological requirements. The sporophyte stage was found in montane zones, almost exclusively in coniferous forests, and on well-decayed wood. The sterile protonemal stage extends to lower elevations, in broad-leaved forests, and on wood in a less advanced state of decay. Our results suggest that the humidity could be one of the most relevant explanatory variables for the occurrence of sporophytes. Opening of the canopy seems to promote sporophyte development. Previous anomalous observations of B. viridis growing on humus or bark might be explained by the presence of a protonemal population that is able to produce sporophytes under rarely occurring but favorable climatic events.

The rare Fissidens jansenii Sérgio & Pursell is reported on plateau de Millevaches, Limousin (France), nearly 1000 km north of the nearest known population. As a result, F. jansenii is known from the Iberian Peninsula and now from western France. An updated distribution map of the species in Europe is provided. The new material is fully described and illustrated and the ecology in France is outlined. Gametophytically, French specimens of F. jansenii do not deviate significantly from Portuguese material and the variability of characters is discussed. In France, on plateau de Millevaches, F. jansenii is relatively frequent but constitutes rather small populations, with a low number of individuals. Sporophytes were regularly encountered and reproduction is most likely to be by spore dispersal. On plateau de Millevaches, F. pusillus (Wilson) Milde shares a comparable habitat but is easily distinguished from F. jansenii. Morphologically similar species occurring in Western Europe and that could potentially be confused with F. jansenii (F. rivularis and F. rufulus Bruch & Schimp.) are compared.

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