Riccia huebeneriana Violet Crystalwort

A monoicous thallose liverwort which grows on exposed mud at the edges of pools, lakes and reservoirs. The yellow-green thallus is often flushed red or violet. The small thallus, up to 1cm in diameter, is usually conspicuously perforated and this becomes particularly evident with ageing. The upper surface is noticably grooved, which together with the violet or red colouration, is a characteristic that separates it from Riccia cavernosa which is also larger. It is a rare species in Britain with a few, scattered local populations in England and Wales. It is very rare in West Glamorgan where it was recorded by Sam Bosanquet in Oxwich Marsh in 2011. Sporophytes are usually abundant.