Calypogeia neesiana
| Common Name | Nees' Pouchwort |
| Frequency | Rare |
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Distinguishing Features
Following the standard body plan of its genus, the linear, yellow-green shoots of C. neesiana have triangular to ovate lateral leaves that overlap like shingles on a roof (“incubous”). It is an infrequent species of moist environments where it tends to creep on peaty banks and decaying organic matter. As with all species in this genus, the proof is in the pudding . . . your fingers on the shoots and turning them over so that you can examine the underleaves with a hand lens. These underleaves are unlobed, which in combination with the triangular and frequently notched lateral leaves proves diagnostic for this species.
Similar species
Radula and Bazzania can have ovate-triangular leaves that overlap like wooden shingles, but species of Radula lack an underleaf and the underleaf in green species of Bazzania has 3 or 4 shallow lobes on it as opposed to the entire underleaf in C. neesiana. Within its own genus, it is only mistakeable for C. integrispula, as all other species have a well developed sinus dividing the lobes on the underleaf. To distinguish between these two lookalikes, a microscope is necessary to detect the presence of oil bodies in the fresh underleaves of C. integrispula and their absence in the fresh underleaves of C. neesiana.
Habitat
Moist to wet humus, decayed wood, and cliffs in the lowland and montane zones; infrequent in southwest and southeast BC, rare northward along the coast.
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.