Orbus-seed Liverwort (Targionia hypophylla)

Resources

Status

  • BC: Red – S2 (2021)
  • COSEWIC: Not Ranked
  • SARA: Not Ranked
  • Global: Secure (1994)
  • Galiano Island Status: Confirmed

Description

Distinctive powder-green liverwort with nearly black scales on the undersurface, the sporangium sheathed by a glossy, purple black keeled envelope at the apex of the dorsal surface of the thallus. The female involucres (the specialized flaps which surround and protect the receptacles at the end of the thallus) are bivalved and glossy black, and resemble a strange clam.

Habitat

Somewhat shaded fine-textured mineral soil on outcrop ledges.

Range

This species is found from California to Nevada, south to New Mexico; it is also known from southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Threats

Unknown.

Galiano Status

Populations have been documented on Mount Sutil and along Active Pass.

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