Calypogeia integristipula
Marchantiophyta
Calypogeia integristipula (Calypogeiaceae)
Meylan’s Pouchwort
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Infrequent
Distinguishing Features
An infrequent species of creek and drainage banks, C. integrispula forms linear shoots >2 mm wide composed of two rows of round, opaque green leaves overlapping in a shingle-like arrangement. The key distinguishing feature of this species is the underleaves, which are typically undivided, though sometimes with a very shallow sinus. While inspecting the underleaves with a hand lens, note the presence of transparent cells at the margins of the lateral leaves in contrast to the opaque cells further in from them.
Similar species
Looking at the top of the shoots, C. integrispula could be mistaken for the C. muelleriana, C. suecica or C. azurea, but all of those species will show a clearly divided and lobed underleaf on the undersides of the shoot. Only C. neesiana has an underleaf that is undivided like that of C. intergrispula. To distinguish between the two species, microscopic examination is neccessary to makeout the presence of oil bodies in the underleaves of C. integrispula, a feature lacking in C. neesiana.
Habitat
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Associated species
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