Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Key to Sphaerocarpos
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1a plants thallose > 2b chloroplasts numerous > 62a thallus tissue homogeneous > 63a mounds or short bifurcations > 64a involucres flask shaped > Sphaerocarpos
These liverworts are annuals, the individual plants dying after spores are mature. They are always on bare mineral soil, favoring sandy soil over clay soils. The first, S. texanus, is a winter annual, maturing in the spring and disappearing early in summer. The second, rare species, S. hians, seems to be mainly a summer to fall species, growing on river banks after spring high waters recede and maturing before the winter rains begin.
Sphaerocarpos texanus, Lane Co., Oregon. DHW m1511a.
1a Mouth of involucres small, the top curving inwards; common, widespread
Sphaerocarpos texanus
Sphaerocarpos hians, Benton Co., Oregon. DHW October 2003
1b Mouth of involucres wide, the top flaring; in Oregon known only from Corvallis, Benton County
Sphaerocarpos hians