Kurzia pauciflora

Kurzia pauciflora
Phylum: Marchantiophyta
Family: Lepidoziaceae
Genus: Kurzia
Common NameBristley Fingerwort
FrequencyInfrequent
© Matt Goff
iNaturalist
© Matt Goff
iNaturalist
© Dan Tucker
iNaturalist
© Randal Mindell
iNaturalist

Distinguishing Features

Restricted to permanently moist, open bog habitats, variably green K. pauciflora forms a very fine (<1/4 mm wide) filamentous fuzz in and amongst the sprigs of Sphagnum. The underleaves and lateral leaves are similar in form (if not size), both 3-4 lobed and sharply-tipped, the lobes widening from 1 cell at their tip to 2 cells at their bottom before joining to a wide leaf base that is attached to the stem at 90 degrees.

Similar species

See notes under K. makinoana, from which K. pauciflora differs in having a 3-to-4 lobed underleaf while the former has an underleaf of 1-to-2 clear lobes in addition to some amorphous knobs (“slime papillae”).

Habitat

Moist to wet, usually shady humus, decayed wood, rock outcrops, cliffs, bogs, and peatlands in the lowland, montane, and subalpine zones

Associated species

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Distribution Map

Relevant Literature