Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Frullania franciscana M.A. Howe
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Frullania 1b lobule flask shaped > Frullania 2b lobe tip round to obtuse > Frullania 3a line of dark cells midleaf > Frullania franciscana
Synonym: None.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: This species is characterized by leaves which are round to obtuse at the tip, never apiculate, and with a row of pigmented cells on the midline of the dorsal lobes. This row of pigmented cells is usually one cell wide but occasionally is two cells wide. Frullania nisquallensis always has some leaves with an apiculate apex. Frullania californica shares the rounded dorsal lobe tips with Frullania franciscana but it lacks the row of pigmented cells. With good lighting this line of pigmented cells can be discerned in the field with a handlens. This line of cells is best seen from the dorsal side as the ventral view often has the pigmented cells obscured by the lobules.
Distribution: On trees, rarely on rock, along the coast.
Comments: The coastal distribution of this species seems sufficiently restricted that inland plants with no apiculi on dorsal lobes may be assigned to Frullania californica with a fair level of confidence.
Yaquina Head, Lincoln Co., Oregon. DHW m2217.