Riccardia latifrons Bog Germanderwort

An autoicous (sometimes paroicous or synoicous) thallose liverwort which grows on Sphagnum species, Molinia tussocks or damp peat in acidic mires but also on decorticted logs in bogs or humid woodlands. It is an uncommon species, somewhat like Riccardia chamaedrifolia, but with wider thalli. Safe identification requires microscopic examination to confirm that the cells of the thallus completely lack oil bodies (see photo). It has a scattered and mostly western and northern distribution in Britain, including Wales and it is scarce in West Glamorgan where most records are from decaying logs in conifer plantaions. It is probably genuinely uncommon in south Wales but may be under recorded. Sporophyte capsules are occasional in spring and summer.