Macrodiplophyllum plicatum
| Common Name | Plicate Earwort |
| Frequency | Rare |
Image Gallery
Distinguishing Features
M. plicatum can form vigorous populations underneath stunted conifers in wet coastal bog slopes. The horizontal to ascending plants are shiny, yellow brown and show infrequent lateral branching along leaf shoots between 2-6 cm long and 2-5 mm wide. The upper lobe is significantly smaller than the lower lobe, though both have an elongate shape. Up close, the upper lobe is mostly smooth while the variably toothy lower lobe flexes out at around 75 degrees to the stem. If you have the patience or you catch it in an unlikely parched situation, the plant remains mostly uncontored when dry.
Similar species
While similar in size and leaf aspect to M. rubrum, M. flaccidum lacks its red pigmentation. M. imbricatum is a higher elevation species with smooth leaf lobes that have a rounded aspect. M. flaccidum occurs in similar habitats, but in that species the lower lobes are held at 90 degrees to the stem, whereas in M. plicatum they are held closer to 75 degrees to the stem.
Habitat
Moist, shady humus, mineral soil, rock outcrops, boulders, cliffs, bogs, streambanks, and occasionally tree bases in the lowland, montane, and subalpine zones; frequent in coastal BC.
Associated species
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.