Phymatoceros bulbiculosus
Anthocerotophyta
Phymatoceros bulbiculosus (XXXXXX)
XXXXXX
Bulb-Bearing Hornwort
frequent
Distinguishing Features
Often obscured below herbs, algae and other bryophytes, this rare seep hornwort has a scantly dissected, smooth dark-green thallus that can form extensive populations of overlapping dime-sized plants. The diagnostic feature is found on the underside, where round yellowish "bulbils" that function in asexual reproduction can be found in abundance. Horns, when present, are very short (~1cm tall).
Similar species
No other hornwort (or thallose liverwort!) possesses bulbils on the underside of the thallus, making P. bulbiculosus unmistakeable even if hard to find.
Habitat
Fine sediment seeps, rare in SW BC.
Associated species
XXXXXX