SafePlants

Radula complanata: An Overview

Radula complanata is a species of liverwort belonging to the family Radulaceae.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has overlapping leaves that may be tempting for pets to chew on.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Radula complanata (L.) Dumort.
• Family: Radulaceae
• Order: Jungermanniales
• Synonyms: Jungermannia complanata L., Radula lindenbergiana Gottsche ex C. Hartm.
• Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies (Radula complanata subsp. complanata, Radula complanata subsp. lindbergiana)

Distribution and Habitat

• Radula complanata has a wide distribution, including Europe, Asia, North America (Canada, Wisconsin), and the UK.
• It's also been found in New Brunswick, Austria (Niederösterreich), Germany (Hohenlohe) and Virginia.
• This liverwort typically grows on rocks, cliff edges, and epiphytically on trees.
• It is often found in shaded understory environments, growing on small stems of shrubs.

Morphological Characteristics

• Radula complanata is a leafy liverwort with overlapping, crowded leaves in one plane (complanate).
• It has rounded, overlapping, bilobed leaves, with the smaller lobule folded underneath.
• Shoots can grow up to approximately 3 cm.
• It forms extensive carpets or coatings, either alone or mixed with other bryophytes.
• The plant is typically green-colored.

Quirky Facts

• The name Radula is derived from the Latin word "radula," meaning "scraper," referring to the shape of the perianth.
• The epithet "complanata" comes from the Latin word "complanatus," meaning "flattened," describing the plant's flattened appearance.

Genetic Information

• The Radula complanata ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene has been partially sequenced (1,300 bp linear DNA, KJ508346.1).

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Radula complanata can be found growing alongside other bryophytes such as Metzgeria furcata.

Chemical Composition

• Two new bibenzyls have been isolated from Radula complanata, and their structures have been determined through chemical and spectral analysis.

Additional Information

• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Radula complanata.
• Information on the distribution of Radula complanata in the UK is available through the NBN Gateway.
• Photos are available on Flickr.