Liverwort Specimen

Date2007

Object numberHF.2012.49.31

DescriptionA large sample of dry Trichocolea tomentella [Ehrhart] Dumortier liverwort with long stems and branching leaves. The colour of the sample varies from green-yellow, grey-green, light-green, to light brown. The leaves vary in shape with some being lacy, almost fern-like, while others are very narrow and closely grouped together. The reverse of the sample is darker in colour. A variety of other organic matter is mixed into the sample (spruce needle, grass? Etc)

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Hepatophyta
Class: Jungermanniophyta
Order: Jungermanniales
Family: Trichocoleaceae
Genus: Trichocolea Dumort.
Species: Trichocolea tomentella [Ehrh.] Dumort

Narrative

Collected on September 21, 2007, by Rosemary Curley from Perth Station, Kings County, PEI (46°14'21.42"N, 62°42'7.86"W. Datum: NAD83). Collected growing in a wet seep.

Trichocolea tomentella [Ehrh.] Dumort is a distinctive, leafy liverwort which grows 10-15 cm high. The leaves have narrow, deep lobes and are fringed by branched cilia which gives the leaves a fuzzy appearance. The branches grow at right angles to the main stem with additional branches off of these. It grows to form thick mats across tree trunks and shaded soil in moist evergreen or deciduous forests, preferring highly minerotrophic soil in damp, well drained area such as swamps and streams. Geographically, it is found throughout eastern North America and Europe.

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