Montana Field Guide

Plants: Thallose, with thick, fleshy branches of dark green, large, particularly in damp areas, up to 25 cm in length and 6-22 mm across (Doyle 2006), lobe divisions uneven, with air chambers just below the dorsal surface showing hexagonal pattern, the one white-rimmed pore in the middle of each easily observed (Nicholson 1966, Schofield 2002).

Sex Organs: Archegoniophore stalks reaching up to 7 cm, found near ends of major branches. Female receptacles umbrella- or cone-shaped (hence the plant’s Latin name for “cone-shaped head”) with the archegonia on the bottom side (Bland 1971). Antheridia enclosed in purple-tinged protective pads near ends of lateral lobes (Doyle 2006, Schofield 1985, Nicholson 1966).

A crushed fresh thallus gives off an agreeable spicy odor (Bland 1971) or a smell like that of mushrooms (Doyle 2006). The archegonia-bearing receptacles with their cone-shaped umbrellas, the prominent air chamber outlines with white-bordered pores, and mushroom smell are unique (Schofield 2002, Doyle 2006).

On moist soil and wet, shaded limestone and other rocks, in open-canopied woods, and on damp bluffs (Nicholson 1966, Schofield 2002).

Archegoniophores noticeable in early spring. Antheridial pads show in late autumn and first part of spring. Sporangia with elators open longitudinally to discharge glossy black spores. Asexual reproduction may occur through fragmentation, when gemmae inside a decomposing thallus are eventually released (Schofield 2002).

With insufficient light or inadequate conditions, branches become leaner and paler, often the case in efforts at cultivation (Nicholson 1966).