Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Moerckia blyttii (Moerck) Brockm.
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Moerckia 1b rhizoids brown > Moerckia blyttii
Synonym: None.
Special Status: Species of potential conservation concern pending exploration of suitable habitats in the Cascade Mountains north of Lane County.
Recognition: Simple thalloid with dorsal sex organs, the sex organs protected by leafy flaps. Sterile plants not readily distinguishable from Pellia in the field. Male plants of Pellia have their antheridia embedded in the thallus, their position marked by ostioles that look like pimples.
Distribution: Grows on compacted, peaty substrate close to running water, mixed with other bryophytes, at higher elevations, mostly above 5,000'; known from the Three Sisters Wilderness Area of Lane County and northwards.
Comments: Known from very few sites at present but likely to be found fairly frequently as the subalpine zone is explored. I have identified a recent collection made by Duncan Thomas (s.n., August 2010), near Obsidian Falls as M. blyttii. My own collections previously identified as this species were from Linton Meadows. Both sites are in the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Moerckia blyttii, male plants; Three Sisters Wilderness, Lane Co., Oregon. D.Thomas s.n.
Moerckia blyttii, Three Sisters Wilderness, Lane Co., Oregon. D.Wagner photo.
Moerckia blyttii, rhizoids; Three Sisters Wilderness, Lane Co., Oregon. D.Thomas s.n.