Pellia epiphylla Overleaf Pellia

A very common, dark-green, monoicous thallose livewort which occurs on base-poor wet soils and rocks at the sides of water courses, ditches, flushed banks and on the woodland floor where there is sufficient wetness. It was chosen as the type liverwort in the in biology curriculum in British schools, despite the fact that most liverworts in Britain (and the rest of the world) are leafy liverworts. It is common in Britain except for parts of the south and east of England and it is ubiquitous in Wales. In West Glamorgan it is widespread and abundant in its favoured habitats, particularly in the South Wales Coalfield. It has a more patchy distribution in Gower where it most frequent on the Commons and ambient areas. Sporophytes are common in spring. Being monoicous, male and female organs are found on the same thallus and this is a unique distinguishing feature among British Pellia species. Pellia neesiana is very similar but it is dioicous (see description of that species).