Cliff Scalewort - Porella cordaeana

Description

This liverwort has branched dark green shoots that appear flattened. Leaves are approx. 2 mm wide. Underleaves are quite widely spaced out along stems.

Similar Species

Porella platyphylla

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Underleaves spaced out and not overlapping each other. Edges tend to turn up as specimen dries.

Identification aids

It differs from the much more common Porella platyphylla by having underleaves that are fairly well spaced and not overlapping. The edges of the underleaves also tend to curl up.

 

Recording advice

Detailed photos of underside of leaves/stem needed

Habitat

Rocks and tree bases by lowland rivers. Also rocks in sheltered ravines. Rarely found in limestone areas.

VC55 Status

Rare

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Cliff Scalewort
Species group:
Mosses & Liverworts
Kingdom:
Order:
Family:
Records on NatureSpot:
0

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