SafePlants

Chiloscyphus

Chiloscyphus is a large and diverse genus of leafy liverworts.

Common Names

• St Winifrid's Moss
• Pale Liverwort
• Lippenmos (Dutch)
• Bleiche Lippenbechermoos (German)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Chiloscyphus Corda corr. Dumort.
• Family: Lophocoleaceae
• Major Group: Bryophytes
• Order: Jungermanniales
• Synonyms:
  • Lophocolea (Dumort.) Dumort.
• Examples of Species:
  • Chiloscyphus polyanthos (Linnaeus) Corda
  • Chiloscyphus pallescens (Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) Dumort.
  • Chiloscyphus alpicola J.J.Engel
  • Chiloscyphus rivularis
  • Chiloscyphus concavus (Steph.) Hssel
  • Chiloscyphus horizontalis
  • Chiloscyphus coadunatus (Sw.) R.M.Schust. &amp J.J.Engel
  • Chiloscyphus semiteres (Lehm. &amp Lindenb.) Lehm. &amp Lindenb.
  • Chiloscyphus cuspidatus
  • Chiloscyphus coalitus
  • Chiloscyphus trapezoideus (Mont.) J.J. Engel &amp R.M. Schust.
  • Chiloscyphus mororanus Steph.
  • Chiloscyphus submersus Warnst.
  • Chiloscyphus trichocoleoides
  • Chiloscyphus angulatus (Stephani) J.J. Engel &amp R.M. Schust.

Distribution and Habitat

• Chiloscyphus is found in Australasia, with approximately 38 species recognized in the region.
• Chiloscyphus pallescens has a Boreo-temperate Circumpolar distribution. It is found in Europe, including Austria (Salzburg - Httschlag - Schwarzwand), and in the islands of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.
• Several species have been identified in New Zealand.
• Some species have been collected from Tierra del Fuego (Chile).

Morphological Characteristics

• Chiloscyphus pallescens is described as a niederliegendes Lebermoos (low-lying liverwort) in German.
• Chiloscyphus coalitus has a length of 30 mm and a width of 2 mm.
• The genus is described as leafy liverworts.

Quirky Facts

• The name Chiloscyphus is derived from the Greek words "cheilos" (lips) and "skupos" (deep cup), referring to the appearance of the perianth, which resembles three lips at its opening.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Bioactive and other sesquiterpenes have been isolated from Chiloscyphus rivularis.
• Chiloscyphus polyanthos has been studied for its terpenoid content.
• Chiloscyphus species have been studied for their ability to decolorize certain dyes.

Further Information

• Information can be found at: http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/ncu/genera/.
• Taxonomic Serial No.: 14565 for Chiloscyphus polyanthos.
• Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Chiloscyphus polyanthos (as Jungermannia pallescens var).