Illustrated Glossary

Alar cells
Special cells at the sides of the leaf base, notably longer usually. Alar = "relating to wings"

example - Dicranum scoparium

Bulbil
Small bulb-like structure for vegetative propogation

example - Bryum dichotomum

Costa
The rib-like structure, sometimes a midrib, or occasionally a small double "V" in pleuocarps

example - (Hygro)Amblystegium tenax

Falcato-secund
Falcate - sickle shaped
Secund - arranged to one side

example - Hypnum cupressiforme

Excurrent
When the nerve goes beyond the leaf "end" it's called "excurrent"

example - Barbula unguiculata

Fascicle
"bunch"or "bundle" (same word "fascism" comes from!)

example - Racomitrium fasciculare fascicles

Gemma
A small "propagule" which can detach to form a new plant. Variant in form and location.

example - Ulota phyllantha leaf tip gemmae

example - Zygodon viridissimus leaf axil gemma

Hairpoint
An extension of the leaf tip, commonly hyaline (clear), occasionally not

example - Campylopus introflexus

Hyaline
Clear, colourless - typically used to describe cells and hairpoints

example - Racomitrium lanuginosum

Lamellae

example - Polytrichastrum formosum leaf section

Nerve
See "Costa"

Papillose
Having small bumps. Used mostly, but not only, for leaf cells

example - Barbula unguiculata

example - Brachytheceum rutabulum's papillose seta

Rhyzoid
Root-like filaments often (always?) used to attach to substrate

example - Campylopus introflexus

Seta
The stalk on which the capsule sits

example - the bumpy,  red seta of Brachythecium rutabulum

Spore
Reproductive unit of bryophytes and other cryptogams

examples - Rhynchostegium riparioides

Stoma - superficial
Small opening ("mouth") which facilitates gas exchange/controls moisture, and which is on the surface

example - Orthotrichum affine capsule

Stoma - immersed
Small opening ("mouth") which facilitates gas exchange/controls moisture, and which is "embedded"

example - Orthotrichum rivulare capsule

Tomentum
Matted hair-like stuff around a plant stem

example - Aulacomnium palustre

Bryo library

Just for the beauty, pt. II

The beauty of words this time. Having taken delivery of Smith's liverworts book I found myself last night spending quality time deep in the glossary - trying to figure out what the hell he was on about in other words.

dorsal/ventral - on the back/on the belly, where the belly is to the substrate, like a lizard or a fish
imbricate - stacked like tiles, descriptive of leaf arrangement
incubous - upper edge of each leaf overlaps the next leaf along the stem
succubous - lower edge of each leaf overlaps the next leaf along the stem
julaceous - doesn't mean anything you could guess! Look it up if you don't know :)
trigone - junction of three cells which may appear "inflated"

"Succubous" and "incubous" of course shouldn't be confused with "succubus" and "incubus", despite the fact that some of these liverworts look like they might be demons to ID!

I think I'll see what I have by way of photos to illustrate these terms. Should be able to come up with something I reckon.

From a Plagiomnium rostratum leaf (not a liverwort, but anyway...), here's a pattern of trigones:

fat trigones, skinny cell walls

Just for the beauty, pt. I - Plagiomnium rostratum

Scapania undulata at Cullaloe LNR

Quite widespread in marshy flush areas of the reserve, I had seen one that was handed to me but didn't see it in the field. I "rediscovered" it on Saturday. This s a species which seems to have been split in the past, but is variable as to the degree of "tooth" on display. This one is pretty toothy!

Looking at previous shots of Scapania obtained from the BBS meet, I see that the previous one showed no sign of teeth at all. Is this a genetic difference or a habitat-based phenotype difference? See in gallery (Q-U) for previous.

(edit - from Smith, p.189: "it is clear from field observation and literature reports that much of the variation is environmentally induced")

Platyhypnidium riparioides at Cullaloe LNR

New one for me I think, but not sure if it was picked up during the BBS meet. Growing on a rock in the burn in the middle of the reserve it is slightly flattened in appearance with the tips especially having a squashed bud-like appearance. This batch bore sporophytes which had already lost their caps. External peristome teeth seem to be 16 double" teeth, and black.

Ulota phyllantha at Cullaloe LNR

A new species for me and for the reserve - found it in a couple of places. Interesting in the field, but even more so under the microscope.

Ulota phyllantha