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]

Conocephalum conicum
Conocephalum conicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Marchantiophyta
Class:	Marchantiopsida
Order:	Marchantiales
Family:	Conocephalaceae
Genus:	Conocephalum
Species:	C. conicum
Binomial name
Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dum.

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]