Petalophyllum ralfsii Petalwort

A dioicous, thallose liverwort which is confined to coastal areas where it grows in base-rich dune slacks and short turf. The frilly, lettuce-like rosettes are somewhat like those of a Fossombronia species but the parallel ridges that radiate from the midrib to the margins of the leaf are very distinctive. This Medterranean-Atlantic species has its biggest populations in the world along the west coast of Ireland where there are huge numbers of individuals at some sites. In Britain it is scattered mostly along the southwest coast but also with interesting outlying population in the north of Scotland and along the east coast of England. It is found in several places along the south coast of Wales and has small populations in dune slacks on Whiteford and Oxwich dunes in West Glamorgan. It usually requires diligent searching to find it. Sporophytes are frequent from winter to early summer.