Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Cephalozia ambigua Massal.

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Cephalozia 1a sinus >0.5 of leaf > Cephalozia 2a cells at lobe base <25μ wide > Cephalozia 3a leaves wider than stem > C. ambigua


Synonym: Cephalozia bicuspidata subsp. ambigua (Massal.) R.M. Schuster

Special Status: None, rare, probably should be on List 2.

Recognition: Dark brownish green version of C. bicuspidata, with more cupped, densely packed leaves with smaller cells.

Distribution: Grows on peaty soil at higher elevations; circumboreal, reaching southern limit in Oregon on west coast.

Comments: I expect it will turn out to be uncommon but not rare, as the higher mountains of the northern Oregon Cascades are largely unexplored.


Cephalozia ambigua, Three Sisters Wilderness, Lane Co., Oregon. DHW 3507a.



Cephalozia ambigua. Dorsal aspect, terminal androecium, male shoot. Siskiyou County, California. Shevock 57402a CAS.



Cephalozia ambigua. Ventral aspect, intercalary androecium, male shoot. Siskiyou County, California. Shevock 57402a CAS.



Cephalozia ambigua Lateral aspect, intercalary androecium, male shoot. Siskiyou County, California. Shevock 57402a CAS.



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