Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Scapania umbrosa (Schrad.) Dum.
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Scapania 1 oil bodies several per cell > Scapania 2b marginal teeth evenly spaced or lacking > Scapania 3b dorsal lobe not decurrent > Scapania 5 ventral lobe long decurrent > Scapania 6b dorsal lobe 2/3 of ventral lobe > Scapania 7a dorsal lobe narrow, tapering > Scapania umbrosa
Synonym: None.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: This is one of the smallest species of the genus, characterized by dentate leaves coupled with an entire perianth mouth; perianths are frequent. The lobes are relatively narrow, tapering, angled only slightly away from the stem, with large teeth for the size of the plants. Its closest look-alike is Scapania bolanderi, from which it is distinguished by the ability to produce red pigments (Scapania bolanderi is never reddish) and the entire perianth mouth. All other species with dentate leaves have a dentate perianth mouth.
Distribution: On wood, or less often bark, of decaying logs, most often in old growth forests, at lower elevations in western Oregon.
Comments: Scapania umbrosa is one of the few species of liverworts that appears to be found primarily in old-growth forests.
Scapania umbrosa Marys Peak, Benton Co., Oregon. DHW m2446
Scapania umbrosa Marys Peak, Benton Co., Oregon. DHW m2446