Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Frullania nisquallensis Sull.
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Frullania 1b lobule flask shaped > Frullania 2a acuminate leaf tips present > Frullania nisquallensis
Synonym: Frullania tamarisci subsp. nisquallensis (Sull.) Hatt.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: Although the genus is easy to recognize, determining species with confidence in the field is not easy. If this species is present, it should be possible to see sharply apiculate lobe tips on most of the of the leaves with a 10X lens. It makes this good subject to justify investing in a quality 20X lens.
Distribution: Grows on both rock and bark; very common, on canopy branches of every tree in older conifer forests throughout western Oregon; equally abundant on Acer circinatum in riparian areas. This is one of the most common epiphytic liverworts in Oregon.
Comments: Note that my concept of this species is not identical to that of Doyle (Doyle and Stotler 2006) when it comes to distinguishing it from F. californicum. He suggests that some specimens of F. californicum may have acute leaf tips that approach the acuminate leaf tips of F. nisquallensis, a character overlap I have not observed. Likewise, lobe tips of F. franciscana may narrow abruptly at lobe tips but never with sharp points as in F. nisquallensis.
The best character distinguishing F. nisquallensis from all other regional species is the recurved margin of its underleaves. This cannot be seen with a hand lens in the field but requires examination with a microscope. The lack of a distinct line of ocelli which characterizes F. franciscana can usually be observed in the field with a 20X handlens. This approach is used by John Atwood (2017) in his treatment for Flora of North America.
Frullania nisquallensis. Sweet Creek, Lane County, Oregon. DHW 13May2013.
Frullania nisquallensis. Sweet Creek, Lane County, Oregon. DHW 13May2013.
Frullania nisquallensis. Sweet Creek, Lane County, Oregon. DHW 13May2013.
Frullania nisquallensis. Spencer Butte, Lane County, Oregon. DHW 7951.