Scaleworts Frullania spp are a genus of lobed liverworts, also known as hepatics, which are sort of primitive mosses. They grow on rocks and smooth tree bark, feeding off the minerals which are brought by water flowing down their rock or tree trunk. The organism attaches itself to a substrate and forms a lacy disk. The tiny 2 mm square leaves fold back on themselves and look a bit like liver, hence the term hepatic. The presence of scalewort indicates an acid soil or substrate.
Scaleworts can cause allergies and they contain substances that can give dermatitis or contact eczema popularly known as 'maladie des bûcherons' (forester's disease). For the susceptible it results in very itchy patches where bare skin has touched the scalewort.
There are many species, all very difficult to tell apart. The ones in these photos might be Dilated Scalewort Frullania dilitata.
No comments:
Post a Comment