Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Cephalozia bicuspidata (L.) Dum.
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Cephalozia 1a sinus >0.5 of leaf > Cephalozia 2b leaf cells longer than 35 μm long > Cephalozia 5b plants wider than 0.6 mm wide > Cephalozia 6a leaves oblique, lobe base broad > C. bicuspidata
Synonym: Cephalozia bicuspidata subsp. lammersiana (Hueb.) R.M. Schust.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: A variable species that is not always easy to recognize when in stressed conditions. When optimally developed the slightly imbricate, deeply bilobed leaves are distinctive. Measuring the cells at base of leaf lobes will separate this from the three species with small cells, C. ambigua, C. leucantha, and C. macounii. The plant I call here C. otaruensis has widely spreading lobes and appears to be confined to coastal wetlands. Depauperate strands of C. bicuspidata mimic the tiny C. lacinulata, which has leaf cells almost as large as the stem cells (see comparison picture under C. lacinulata).
Distribution: One of our most common liverworts; it is most luxuriant on rotting wood near the coast. Frequent also on peaty substrates and occasionally on wet rocks higher in the mountains. Found throughout the state, most abundant at lower elevations.
Comments: The variability of this species makes it difficult to distinguish it from other species of wetlands. I have not yet attempted to sort out Cephalozia bicuspidata subsp. lammersiana even though it should be recognized as a species, not merely a subspecies. It has larger leaf cells and a higher chromosome number than the typical subspecies.
Autoicous shoot. Fairbanks area, Alaska. DHW m2572.
Skamania Co., Washington. DHW 7813.
Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Male shoot. Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Male shoot. Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.
Male shoot, antheridium in optical section. Fairbanks area, Alaska. DHW m2572.
Opal Creek, Marion Co., Oregon. DHW m2129.