Paraphymatoceros pearsonii
Anthocerotophyta
Paraphymatoceros pearsonii (Notothyladaceae)
Pearson’s Phaeoceros
Yellow spore long horn
Rare
Distinguishing Features
A rare hornwort with a relatively undissected thallus, it can form large populations of coin-sized matte green plants over seeping fine soils and vernal pools. At maturity the yellowed horns are less than 5cm tall and hold yellow spores.
Similar species
Lacking the bulbils of Phymatoceros bulbiculosus and possessing long yellowed horns at maturity, when immature P. pearsonii could only be mistaken for Phaeoceros oreganus. The distinction is microscopic and based on the colour and ornamentation of the spores.
Habitat
Saturated fine soils in seeps and vernal pools
Associated species
Scleropodium obtusifolium, Rosulabryum sp., Didymodon sp., Timmiella crassinervis