Anastrepta orcadensis
| Common Name | Orkney Notchwort |
| Quick & Dirty ID | XXXXXX |
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Distinguishing Features
Under dwarf conifers, this erect, two lobed leafy liverwort is unmistakeable when adorned with its characteristic red gemmae. Shoots stand erect to 5 cm tall bearing golden yellow-green leaves that are distantly spaced, wider than long and with slightly asymmetrical lobes that are blunt at their tips. Underleaves are absent and under the microscope, gemmae are angular and two-celled.
Similar species
The erect stature, red gemmae and broad, two-lobed leaves set Anastrepta orcadensis apart from almost all other regional leafy liverwort species. Species of Tritomaria have red gemmae but are three-lobed. Red-gemmaed species of Lophozia grow horizontally, not erect as in A. orcadensis.
Habitat
Moist to wet humus, rock outcrops, ledges, cliffs, depressions, seepage sites, bogs, waterfall spray zones, streambanks, and tundra in the lowland, montane, and subalpine zones; infrequent of open coast of BC [Haida Gwaii, north coast].
Associated species
Macrodiplophylum plicatum, Scapania bolanderi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Metzgeria leptoneura
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.