Moerckia hibernica
Marchantiophyta
Moerckia hibernica (Moerckiaceae)
Irish Ruffwort
Infrequent
Distinguishing Features
Moerckia hibernica presents as a large, frilly and pale green simple thalloid liverwort with segments up to 7 mm wide and 3 cm long creeping over other bryophytes in wet and boggy habitats. The upper surface of male plants is laden with toothy scales (see photo) that surround the antheridia along the thickened midrib-like central region of the thallus and the undersurface is laden with pale hairs. Similar scales and hairs are seen on seperate female plants, while in sterile plants, the pale hairs of the underside are present, but scales are absent.
Similar species
Aneura can grow in similar habitats, but it has a thicker thallus (not transluscent and winged) and a greasy texture that is lacking in M. hibernica. Species of Pellia do not lack the characteristic scales on the upper surface that are found in Moerckia. Scales on the upper surface of M. blyttii have smooth margins and hairs on its undersurface are brown; in M hibernica the scales are toothed and the hairs are pale. With its toothy scales and pale hairs, M. flotoviana is almost indistinguishable without a microscope. In cross-section, the thallus of that species gradually thins from midrib to margin whereas in M. hibernica the transition is abrupt, with a circular midrib area immediately thinning to a 1-2 celled wing region.
Habitat
Moist to wet humus, cliffs, streambanks, bogs, and waterfall spray zones in the lowland and montane zones
Associated species