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Irish Ruffwort (Moerckia hibernica)

Moerckia hibernica, commonly known as Irish Ruffwort, is a liverwort belonging to the family Pallaviciniaceae. This species is found in various regions and exhibits interesting ecological characteristics.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Moerckia hibernica (Hook.) Gottsche
• Common Name: Irish Ruffwort
• Family: Pallaviciniaceae
• Rank: Species
• Synonym: Moerckia flotoviana (Nees) Schiffn.
• Alternative Combination: Moerckia hibernica fo. flotoviana (Nees) J.L. De Sloover

Distribution and Habitat

• The species has been found in anthropogenic habitats in southern Poland.
• It is also reported from locations such as Lewis County, New York, and Hayle Sands (UK) and Tatra Mountains, Slovakia.
• Its origin in Canada is unknown or undetermined, but it is regularly occurring.

Morphology and Identification

• Distinguished by colorless rhizoids and dentate antheridial scales (present only in fertile plants).
• Thallus margin is plane or crispate.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Moerckia hibernica has been found alongside other species of Metzgeriales, such as Pellia spp., which can lead to potential confusion in identification.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Moerckia flotoviana (syn. Pallavicinia flotowii).
• The Plant List includes information about the Moerckia genus and its species.
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) provides taxonomic information.
• TERMIUM is the Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank which may have information.