Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Mesoptychia collaris (Nees) L. Söderstr. & Váňa
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Lophozia 1b oil bodies less than 12 per cell > Lophozia 5b leaves bilobed > Lophozia 8a underleaves present > Lophozia 9b gemmae absent > Lophozia 10a dioicous > Lophozia 11b midleaf cells 25-30 μm > Lophozia collaris
Synonyms: Leiocolea collaris (Nees) Jørg., Lophozia collaris (Nees) Schust., Leiocolea alpestris (Schleich.) Isov.
Special Status: Special status probably warranted pending further knowledge of its occurrence in Oregon.
Recognition: Like M. gillmanii, this is a liverworts with bilobed leaves, consistent presence of small underleaves, and absence of gemmae. Underleaves are tiny and quickly hidden among rhizoids as typical for Leiocolea. Median leaf cells 25–30 μm wide. Unlike L. gillmanii, it is dioicous and its perianths have a relatively short beak. When sterile, this is difficult to distinguish from L. gillmanii, only cell size being a clue. Leiocolea heterocolpos that lacks gemmae is reputed to be practically indistinguishable (Paton 1999) but that seems to have smoother leaf cells and the plants tend to be more brownish than reddish.
Distribution: Grows on peaty soil. The first, and only, records from Oregon were reported by Hong (1978) from Anthony Lake and Cornucopia in Baker County (although Hong listed Anthony Lake erroneously from Grant County). It is also found in California (Doyle & Stotler 2006).
Comments: Of the three, non-gemmiferous species of the genus reported from Oregon, this is the smallest. Additional records of Mesoptychia collaris from northeastern Oregon are to be expected.