Conocephalum conicum | |
---|---|
| |
Conocephalum conicum | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Division: | Marchantiophyta |
Class: | Marchantiopsida |
Order: | Marchantiales |
Family: | Conocephalaceae |
Genus: | Conocephalum |
Species: | C. conicum
|
Binomial name | |
Conocephalum conicum |
Conocephalum conicum, also known as the great scented liverwort or snakeskin liverwort, is a liverwort species in the genus Conocephalum. [1] C. conicum is part of the Conocephalum conicum complex, which includes several cryptic species. [2] The name C. conicum refers to the cone-shaped archegoniophore, which bear sporangia. [3]
C. conicum is one of the most common liverworts in northern hemisphere [4] and is widely distributed throughout Canada. [5]
C. conicum is found in open woodlands, sandy banks, wet rocks or cliffs and moist soils [3] and is strongly associated with calcareous substrates. [6]
C. conicum is the largest of the thalloid liverworts, growing up to 20 cm long. [5]
The thalli can grow to 17 mm wide. The thalli are very strong-smelling, with purplish margins; a dark green, leathery surface; flat and smooth. There is a set of lines running along the thalli's surface. The air pores, which are found between the lines, are more conspicuous. trans-Methyl cinnamate is a major doriferous component from two populations of this liverwort, but has not been identified from other populations. [7]
Male plants bear unstalked, terminal cushions. Female plants have terminal conical receptacles on stalks, which are shortly lobed. [8]
C. conicum has been associated with some species of fungi. These fungi form a highly branched mycelium outside of the plant which then colonize the outside of the rhizoids and pass into the gametophyte. [9]