Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Radula complanata (L.) Dum.
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Radula 1a microphyllous branchlets lacking > Radula 2b paroicous > Radula complanata
Synonym: None.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: An incubous liverwort with ventral flaps and no underleaves characterizes the genus. These plants have a characteristic pale, whitish green color. The shoots form flat colonies on the substrate, with abundant rhizoids that keep it prostrate. Perianths are frequent in this species and presence of male bracts below the perianth distinguish it. Under the microscope the oil bodies are smaller than in R. bolanderi, with space around the solitary oil bodies equal or greater than half the diameter of the oil bodies.
Distribution: Most abundant on bark of shrubs, also on smooth tree bark, rarely on rock; widespread throughout the region.
Comments: Plants with paroicous shoots will occasionally have small male shoots closely associated with the perianths.
Radula complanata. S Eugene, Lane County, Oregon. DHW May 9 2012.
Left: ventral view, Lane County,Oregon, DHW s.n.; right, leaf with gemmae; Holton Creek, Jackson Co., Oregon. DHW 7537.
Deer Creek, Lane County, Oregon. DHW m1617a
Radula complanata. Oil bodies, midleaf 1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Lane County, Oregon. DHW m3108
Radula complanata. Oil bodies, midleaf 1, higher magnification. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Lane County, Oregon. DHW m3108
Radula complanata. Oil bodies, midleaf 2. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Lane County, Oregon. DHW m3108
Radula complanata. Oil bodies, leaf margin. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Lane County, Oregon. DHW m3108