Barbilophozia barbata

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Identification notes

B. barbata is very much a species of lowland northern and western districts, where it can often be found on sheltered drystone walls and rocks as well as many other places.

This relatively large liverwort has a typical 3-4 lobed Barbilophozia (and Orthocaulis etc.) leaf shape. However, its unusual-looking growth form makes it quite easy to recognise in the field; its leaves are more obliquely inserted along the stem than its relatives and the shoots look quite wide and flattened, except at the tip of the shoot where young leaves are raised up.

Although its specific name means ‘bearded’, the leaves lack any hair-like cilia at their bases (important for identification in this group).

Read the Field Guide account

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland

View distribution from the BBS Atlas 2014

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