Conocephalum conicum

Conocephalum conicum
Conocephalum conicum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Marchantiophyta
Class: Marchantiopsida
Order: Marchantiales
Family: Conocephalaceae
Genus: Conocephalum
Species:
C. conicum
Binomial name
Conocephalum conicum

Conocephalum conicum, also known as the great scented liverwort or snakeskin liverwort, is a liverwort species in the genus Conocephalum.[1] C. conicum is part of the Conocephalum conicum complex, which includes several cryptic species.[2] The name C. conicum refers to the cone-shaped archegoniophore, which bear sporangia.[3]

Habitat and distribution

C. conicum is one of the most common liverworts in northern hemisphere[4] and is widely distributed throughout Canada.[5]

C. conicum is found in open woodlands, sandy banks, wet rocks or cliffs and moist soils[3] and is strongly associated with calcareous substrates.[6]

Morphology

Thalli

C. conicum is the largest of the thalloid liverworts, growing up to 20 cm long.[5]

The thalli can grow to 17 mm wide. The thalli are very strong-smelling, with purplish margins; a dark green, leathery surface; flat and smooth. There is a set of lines running along the thalli's surface. The air pores, which are found between the lines, are more conspicuous. trans-Methyl cinnamate is a major doriferous component from two populations of this liverwort, but has not been identified from other populations.[7]

Reproductive structures

Male plants bear unstalked, terminal cushions. Female plants have terminal conical receptacles on stalks, which are shortly lobed.[8]

Relationships with fungi

C. conicum has been associated with some species of fungi. These fungi form a highly branched mycelium outside of the plant which then colonize the outside of the rhizoids and pass into the gametophyte.[9]

References

  1. ^ Lunularic acid decarboxylase from the liverwort Conocephalum conicum. Robert J. Pryce, Linda LintonPhytochemistry, November 1974, Volume 13, Issue 11, Pages 2497–2501, doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86926-5
  2. ^ Szweykowski, J.; Buczkowska, K.; Odrzykoski, I. J. (2005-06-01). "Conocephalum salebrosum (Marchantiopsida, Conocephalaceae) – a new Holarctic liverwort species". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 253 (1): 133–158. Bibcode:2005PSyEv.253..133S. doi:10.1007/s00606-005-0301-0. ISSN 1615-6110. S2CID 20076390.
  3. ^ a b "Conocephalum conicum | Introduction to Bryophytes". Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  4. ^ Ludwiczuk, Agnieszka; Odrzykoski, Ireneusz J.; Asakawa, Yoshinori (2013-11-01). "Identification of cryptic species within liverwort Conocephalum conicum based on the volatile components". Phytochemistry. 95: 234–241. Bibcode:2013PChem..95..234L. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.06.011. ISSN 0031-9422. PMID 23835199.
  5. ^ a b "Biology 321 - UBC". www3.botany.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  6. ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  7. ^ Wood, William F.; Lancaster, William C.; Fisher, Christoph O.; Stotler, Raymond E. (1996). "trans-Methyl Cinnamate: The Major Volatile from some Populations of the Liverwort, Conocephalum Conicum (L.) Dumort". Phytochemistry. 42: 241–242. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(96)83287-0.
  8. ^ Atherton, Ian D.M.; Bosanquet, Sam D.S.; Llawley, Mark, eds. (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A Field Guide (PDF). British Bryological Society. p. 255. ISBN 978-0956131010. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  9. ^ Ligrone, R.; Lopes, C. (1989). "Cytology and development of a mycorrhiza-like infection in the gametophyte of Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dum. (Marchantiales, Hepatophyta)". New Phytologist. 111 (3): 423–433. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1989.tb00705.x. ISSN 1469-8137. PMID 33874002.