Calypogeia integristipula

Calypogeia integristipula
Phylum: Marchantiophyta
Family: Calypogeiaceae
Genus: Calypogeia
Common NameMeylan's Pouchwort
FrequencyInfrequent
© Randal Mindell
iNaturalist
© Jamie Fenneman
iNaturalist
© Randal Mindell
iNaturalist
© Randal Mindell
iNaturalist

Distinguishing Features

An infrequent species of creek and drainage banks, C. integristipula forms linear shoots >2 mm wide composed of two rows of round, opaque green leaves overlapping in a shingle-like arrangement. The key distinguishing feature of this species is the underleaves, which are typically undivided, though sometimes with a very shallow sinus. While inspecting the underleaves with a hand lens, note the presence of transparent cells at the margins of the lateral leaves in contrast to the opaque cells further in from them.

Similar species

Looking at the top of the shoots, C. integristipula could be mistaken for the C. muelleriana, C. suecica or C. azurea, but all of those species will show a clearly divided and lobed underleaf on the undersides of the shoot. Only C. neesiana has an underleaf that is undivided like that of C. integristipula. To distinguish between the two species, microscopic examination is neccessary to makeout the presence of oil bodies in the underleaves of C. integristipula, a feature lacking in C. neesiana.

Habitat

Wet to mesic humus, decayed wood, rock outcrops, and swamps in the lowland, montane, and subalpine (rare) zones; rare in coastal and southeast BC.

Associated species

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Distribution Map

Relevant Literature