Bryophytes » Ricciaceae » Riccia fluitans Floating Crystalwort

Riccia fluitans Floating Crystalwort

L.

An aquatic, dioicous thallose liverwort which grows on the surface of pools and ponds which are often, but not necessarily, mineral-rich or even eutrophic. The richly branched and forked thallus usually grow in a tangled mass with a distictive appearance that can hardly be confused with other species. It has a southern distribution in Britain but is relatively scarce in Wales and is uncommon in West Glamorgam where it occurs in some pools on the Gower Commons, Crymlyn Fen and reens and pools in the vicinity of Morfa and Margam Moors in Neath Port Talbot. Sporophytes are very rare.

Riccia fluitans - © Charles Hipkin
Riccia fluitans - © Charles Hipkin

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