Country diary: The holy fountain that's neither holy nor a fountain

Agnes' Fountain, Allerford, Somerset: Drip becomes puddle becomes zigzag becomes river. It's gentle and thriving, but there's nothing sacred about itAt Agnes' Fountain in the woods above Allerford, wetness oozes parsimoniously down a jumble of rocks, collecting into single drops that swell and fall with a quiet tick on to a shawl of saturated moss. The movement is so gentle that liverwort can spread its flat fingers on the stoneface without bruising. Nearly 450 species of liverworts, hornworts and mosses have been recorded on Exmoor, where high rainfall, abundant woodland and a cool climate provide ideal conditions.This species is snakeskin liverwort (Conocephalum conicum). Its lobes are patterned with conspicuous pores and lines that look like slick reptilian scales. It's also known as great scented liverwort and reputed to be strongly aromatic. Expecting a sweet fragrance, I lean close and am surprised by a pungent smell of fresh mushrooms. Continue reading...