Geocalyx graveolens
| Common Name | None |
| Frequency | Infrequent |
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Distinguishing Features
Infrequent and easy to confuse with other two-lobed species, Geocalyx graveolens creeps loosely over its substrate, its yellow-green shoots bearing leaves that spread out widely (to 3 mm) from their longways attachment to the stem. The lateral leaves are shallowly-lobed (less than 1/4 the leaf’s length), their tips sharp but triangular, while the underleaves are clearly visible with a hand lens and are also clearly two-lobed. When sporophytes are present, they emerge anomalously along the underside of the shoot.
Similar species
Most likely to be confused with species of Lophozia, Mesoptychia and Lophocolea, all of which can show variations of shallowly but acutely two-lobed leaves inserted along the length of the stem. Species of Lophozia lack the underleaves of Geocalyx. Underleaves are present but obscure in Mesoptychia and when visible are simple and narrow, not two-pronged and visible with a hand lens as in Geocalyx. Lophocolea bidentata has nearly identical underleaves, but in that species, the lobe apices are very fine and long, while those of Geocalyx are triangular and truncate.
Habitat
Moist to mesic, usually shady humus, mineral soil, decayed wood, tree trunks, rock outcrops, ledges, crevices, cliffs, and streambanks in the lowland and montane zones alpine zones
Associated species
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Distribution Map
Relevant Literature
- Godfrey, J.D. (1977). Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of southwestern British Columbia . [Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia]. UBC cIRcle.
- Hong, W. S. (2007). Scapania. In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Eds.), Flora of North America North of Mexico (Vol. 3) . Oxford University Press.
- Wagner, D. H. (2013). Guide to the liverworts of Oregon: Scapania undulata . Oregon State University Herbarium.