SafePlants

Pleurozia purpurea

Also known as Purple Spoonwort, Pleurozia purpurea is a fascinating liverwort with a wide distribution.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant can be found growing on cliff edges, logs, or tree bases, potentially making it accessible to pets in outdoor environments.
• Plants can be purplish-red or reddish-brown colored.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Pleurozia purpurea Lindb.
• Common Name: Purple Spoonwort
• Family: Pleuroziaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Hepatophyta
• Class: Hepatopsida
• Order: Jungermanniales
• Genus: Pleurozia
• Synonyms:
  • Eopleurozia Schust.
  • Physiotium Nees.
  • Physiotium cochleariforme Nees
  • Pleurozia arcuata Horik.
• Taxon Version Key: NBNSYS0000035971

Distribution and Habitat

• Pleurozia purpurea is found on cliff edges in open sites, logs or tree bases in open coniferous forests, and northern bogs.
• It has been observed in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, as well as in montane and tropical forests.
• It is also found in the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska and British Columbia.
• Some occurrence in the Antarctica/subantarctic.

Morphological Characteristics

• Plants are robust, purplish-red or reddish-brown in color.
• Stems are rigid, 3-6 cm long, and scarcely branched.
• Rhizoids are lacking.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Pleurozia purpurea is known to trap individuals of Blepharisma americana (Ciliata) within its water sacs.

Genetic Information

• The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Pleurozia purpurea reveals extremely conservative mitochondrial genome evolution in liverworts.

Resources and Further Information

• ITIS link: Pleurozia purpurea Lindb.
• NCBI link: Pleurozia purpurea
• The Plant List link: Pleurozia purpurea Lindb.
• Tropicos link: Pleurozia
• Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera
• Encyclopedia of Life
• GenBank (mitochondrial genome sequence accession number)