Metzgeria consanguinea Whiskered Veilwort

A Suboceanic, dioicous thallose liverwort which grows as an epiphyte on the bark of willow, alder, oak, birch and other trees. It is similar to Metzgeria violacea, perhaps prefering more acidic bark, but may grow with it. They differ in the structure of their gemmae-bearing branches and the location of the gemmae which are found on the margins in Metzgeria consanguinea but only at the tip in Metzgeria violacea. It is found primarily in the west and north of Britain where it can form extensive turfs on willows and other trees in humid woodlands. It is common in Wales, increasingly so towards the west and it is found throughout most of West Glamorgan. It is particularly abundant on willow at the edges of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) forests in the conifer plantations of Neath Port Talbot. Female plants are more common than males and often fertile. Sporophytes are unknown in Britain.