Metzgeria americana

Marchantiophyta
Metzgeria americana XXXXXX (XXXXXX)
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frequent

Distinguishing Features

A rare but luxuriant (up to 3mm wide), fuzzy and frilly Metzgeria of extremely moist coastal forests, this species forms large convoluted ribbons that jut free some distance from their subsrate. Up close, M. americana is marked by hairs on all surfaces and an excessively ruffled margin.

Similar species

With its large size and hairs all over the thallus, M. americana could only be mistaken for M. pubescens. Confident distinction of the two requires a microscope.

Habitat

Wet coastal forests on trees and rocks.

Associated species