Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Peltolepis quadrata (Saut.) K. Muell.
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1a plants thallose > 2b chloroplasts numerous > 62b thallus tissue complex > 70b terrestrial > 72b pores differentiated > 73b gemmae absent > 75b trigones small or absent > 77a pores stellate > 78b ventral scales inconspicuous > Peltolepis
Synonym: None.
Special Status: ORBIC List 2.
Recognition: Difficult to identify without carpocephala and spores; spore morphology very distinctive. Vegetatively, it is characterized by radial cell wall thickenings around pores (stellate pores) but inconpicuous ventral scales which do not wrap around thallus apex. Carpocephala arising from notch at apex of thallus.
Distribution: On soil in boreal/alpine situations; presently known only from NE Oregon, the only record in the lower 48 states.
Comments: This species will likely turn up in the main Rocky Mountain axis between Idaho and Colorado.
Figure of Peltolepis quadrata from Clark & Frye, p. 55 (1937).
Spore tetrad. Goodrich Lake, Baker County, Oregon. DHW8198.
Spore and elater. Goodrich Lake, Baker County, Oregon. DHW8198.
Spore and elater. Goodrich Lake, Baker County, Oregon. DHW8198.
Capsule cells with spiral thickening in cell walls. Goodrich Lake, Baker County, Oregon. DHW8198.