Metzgeria pubescens

Phylum: Marchantiophyta

Family: Metzgeriaceae

Genus: Metzgeria

Scientific Name: Metzgeria pubescens Schiffn.

Common Name	Downy veilwort
Frequency	Infrequent

Image Gallery Distinguishing Features Similar Species Habitats Associated Species Distribution Map Relevant Literature

Image Gallery

Distinguishing Features

An occasional species of trees and rocks (especially limestone), the whitish hue of dry M. pubescens is most apparent when the plant is thriving in tufts. When wet, the thallus shows pock marks around the abundant hairs that cover every surface of this attractive plant.

Similar species

With hairs all over the thallus, M. pubescens could only be mistaken for M. americana. Confident distinction between the two requires a microscope.

Habitat

Dry to moist, usually shady rock outcrops, cliffs, boulders, tree trunks, and decayed wood in the lowland and montane zones; locally frequent in coastal BC, rare in nw and se [Rocky Mts.] BC.

Associated species

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.