Ptilidium ciliare

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Identification notes

This unusual leafy liverwort is one of a small group which bear numerous cilia and hence look distinctly hirsute. As well as morphological differences (see the Field Guide) they are normally well separated by habitat differences. P. pulcherrimum typically grows on bark and, despite numerous historical records, is a species in serious decline in many areas. Trichocolea tomentella is a lowland species of flushed ground, whilst the scarce Mastigophora woodsii is a member of the Northern Hepatic Mat, found normally on boulder-strewn, north-facing montane slopes in Scotland above 500 m.

P. ciliare is common in upland heaths, moors and hill grassland with such associates as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum scoparium and its rich colours are usually conspicuous. However, like many other bryophytes, shade forms are often green and may be harder to identify.

Read the Field Guide account

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014

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