Bryophytes » Anastrophyllaceae » Orthocaulis attenuatus Trunk Pawwort

Orthocaulis attenuatus Trunk Pawwort

(Mart.) A.Evans

A dioicous leafy leafy liverwort which produces distinctive upright, gemmiferous  shoots with apressed leaves. It grows on sandstone rocks and walls or on tree trunks, decaying logs and stumps. The leaves have 3 or occasionally 2 lobes. It is a Boreal-montane plant which is most common in the uplands and mountains of the west and north and frequent in such places in Wales. It is scarce in West Glamorgan, but local populations occur in Neath Port Talbot in the upper Afan Valley and in Cwm Du near Pontardawe. Female plants are uncommon and sporophytes are rare but gemmae provide an effective means of dispersal.

This species was formerly and better known as Babilophozia attenuata.

Orthocaulis attenuatus - © Charles Hipkin
Orthocaulis attenuatus - © Charles Hipkin

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