Conocephalum conicum - (image 1 of 5)
Taxonomy
Family: Conocephalaceae
Habitat
Wet soil or rocks. Often found along stream banks and sometimes at the base of trees.
Associates
Distribution
Widespread
Morphology
Dichotomously branching thallus with large pores; does not produce gemmae cups. Dioicious, although reproductive structures uncommon.
Notes
This species of liverwort has a distinctive "snakeskin" appearance due to the large cells of the thallus. It is the largest of the thalloid liverworts. The second image shows the small, mushroom-like sporophyte mostly covered by the calyptra but with the sporangia protruding along the edge of the "cap".
References
USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov).
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
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Michael Hough © 2009 |