Gymnomitrion pacificum
| Common Name | None |
| Frequency | Rare |
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Distinguishing Features
An obscure species of rocky arctic and alpine slopes, the whitish green to brown linear shoots of G. pacificum are known predominantly from mountains along Haida Gwaii. The leaves are tightly appressed and up close with a strong hand lens or microscope show tattered, clear marginal cells with very thin walls that are purported to give this liverwort a glistening appearance when dry. Margins are planar, not reflexed, and oil bodies are absent from leaf cells.
Similar species
The only other white-hued liverworts in the region belong to the genus Anthelia, which is an order of magnitude smaller. While A. julacea and A. juratzkana can occur in similair alpine environments and show tightly overlapping leaves, the leaves are deeply divided (more than 2/3rd their length) compare to species of Gymnomitrion, which are typically divided to about 1/3rd their length. See table for comparison to other regional species of Gymnomitrion.
Habitat
Dry, exposed cliffs, rock outcrops, ledges, crevices, and boulders in the subalpine and 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.