Conocephalum conicum

Conocephalum conicum, also known as the great scented liverwort or snakeskin liverwort, is a liverwort species in the genus Conocephalum.[1] C. conicum is part of the Conocephalum conicum complex, which includes several cryptic species.[2] The name C. conicum refers to the cone-shaped archegoniophore, which bear sporangia.[3]

Conocephalum conicum
Conocephalum conicum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Marchantiophyta
Class: Marchantiopsida
Order: Marchantiales
Family: Conocephalaceae
Genus: Conocephalum
Species:
C. conicum
Binomial name
Conocephalum conicum

Habitat and distribution

C. conicum is one of the most common liverworts in northern hemisphere[4] and is widely distributed throughout Canada.[5]

C. conicum is found in open woodlands, sandy banks, wet rocks or cliffs and moist soils[3] and is strongly associated with calcareous substrates.[6]

Morphology

Thalli

C. conicum is the largest of the thalloid liverworts, growing up to 20 cm long.[5]

The thalli can grow to 17 mm wide. The thalli are very strong-smelling, with purplish margins; a dark green, leathery surface; flat and smooth. There is a set of lines running along the thalli's surface. The air pores, which are found between the lines, are more conspicuous.

Reproductive structures

Male plants bear unstalked, terminal cushions. Female plants have terminal conical receptacles on stalks, which are shortly lobed.[7]

Relationships with fungi

C. conicum has been associated with some species of fungi. These fungi form a highly branched mycelium outside of the plant which then colonize the outside of the rhizoids and pass into the gametophyte.[8]

References
  1. Lunularic acid decarboxylase from the liverwort Conocephalum conicum. Robert J. Pryce, Linda LintonPhytochemistry, November 1974, Volume 13, Issue 11, Pages 2497–2501, doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86926-5
  2. Szweykowski, J.; Buczkowska, K.; Odrzykoski, I. J. (2005-06-01). "Conocephalum salebrosum (Marchantiopsida, Conocephalaceae) – a new Holarctic liverwort species". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 253 (1): 133–158. doi:10.1007/s00606-005-0301-0. ISSN 1615-6110. S2CID 20076390.
  3. "Conocephalum conicum | Introduction to Bryophytes". Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  4. Ludwiczuk, Agnieszka; Odrzykoski, Ireneusz J.; Asakawa, Yoshinori (2013-11-01). "Identification of cryptic species within liverwort Conocephalum conicum based on the volatile components". Phytochemistry. 95: 234–241. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.06.011. ISSN 0031-9422. PMID 23835199.
  5. "Biology 321 - UBC". www3.botany.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  6. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  7. Atherton, Ian D.M.; Bosanquet, Sam D.S.; Llawley, Mark, eds. (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A Field Guide (PDF). British Bryological Society. p. 255. ISBN 978-0956131010. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  8. Ligrone, R.; Lopes, C. (1989). "Cytology and development of a mycorrhiza-like infection in the gametophyte of Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dum. (Marchantiales, Hepatophyta)". New Phytologist. 111 (3): 423–433. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1989.tb00705.x. ISSN 1469-8137. PMID 33874002.
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