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Ptilidium californicum
Scientific Name: Ptilidium californicum
Family: Ptilidiaceae
Category: Liverwort
Growth: Nonvascular
Duration:
Other Names:
Ptilidium californicum: Pacific Fuzzwort
Ptilidium californicum, commonly known as Pacific fuzzwort, is a rare liverwort found in the western United States.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ptilidium californicum (Aust.) Underw.
- Common Name: Pacific Fuzzwort
- Family: Ptilidiaceae
- Synonyms: Lepidozia californica Austin, Mastigophora californica (Austin)
- Taxonomic Serial Number (ITIS): 14280
Distribution and Habitat
This liverwort is native to California and found in the western U.S. It grows epiphytically on living trees, especially alder, as well as on rotting logs, boulders, and cliffs.
Morphological Characteristics
- Very small plants, ranging in color from red to yellow-gold, often with a metallic sheen.
- Leaves are very small (less than 1mm) with 3-4 lobes and ciliate teeth.
- Oil bodies are brown.
Ecological Role
Ptilidium californicum is included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.3, highlighting its conservation status in California.
Phylogeny and Origin
Phylogenetic studies suggest that Ptilidium californicum originated approximately 25-43 million years ago. It is believed to have evolved from the bipolar, terrestrial species Ptilidium ciliare, with P. californicum becoming an epiphyte in the Northern Hemisphere.
Further Information
- ABMI species summary available for Ptilidium californicum.
- Information available on Tropicos.
- Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of this species.