Mannia fragrans

Phylum: Marchantiophyta

Family: Aytoniaceae

Genus: Mannia

Scientific Name: Mannia fragrans (Balb.) Frye & L.Clark

Tropicos BFNA

Synonyms: Duvalia fragrans (Balb.) Lindb., Fimbraria fragrans (Balb.) Nees, Grimaldia barbifrons Bisch., Grimaldia controversa Meyl., Grimaldia fragrans (Balb.) Corda ex Nees, Grimaldia fragrans fo. convoluta Nees, Grimaldia fragrans fo. fimbriata Nees, Grimaldia fragrans var. alpina Meyl., Grimaldia fragrans var. brevipes Kaal., Grimaldia inodora Wallr., Grimaldia sessilis Sull., Mannia barbifrons Shimizu & S. Hatt., Mannia brachypoda Shimizu & S. Hatt., Mannia fragrans fo. inodorata S. Hatt., Mannia fragrans subsp. orientalis R.M. Schust., Mannia fragrans var. brevipes (Kaal.) Damsh., Marchantia fragrans Balb., Pleurochiton balbisianum Corda ex Nees, Sindonisce fragrans (Balb.) Corda

Common Name

Fragrant Macewort

Image Gallery Distinguishing Features Similar Species Habitats Associated Species Distribution Map Relevant Literature

Image Gallery

iNaturalist

Distinguishing Features

An interior species of seasonally-saturated fine soils, Mannia fragrans has a matte green, narrow thallus (~2-3 mm wide) with pores on the upper surface that give it a polka-dotted pattern. When fertile, the dichotomously branched thallus births a carpocephalum (see photo) from the tips of its thallus. This structure is composed of a long stalk fringed by clusters of white scales both at its base and at the junction with the fruiting head. The carpocephalum lacks linear white scales surrounding the developing black capsule. When sterile, this species can be recognized by the scales on the underside of the thallus that are purple near their base before turning white as they approach the margin (see photo).

Similar species

Habitat

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.