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Long-Bristled Frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta)

Long-bristled frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta) is a common liverwort species known for its lettuce-like foliage and pin-shaped reproductive structures (sporophytes). Spores are produced in a black spherical head called a capsule. The capsule is supported on a stalk called a seta. As the capsule matures, it changes to rusty brown and eventually dehisces (cracks open) to release spores. The capsule also spring-like structures called elaters that help to launch the spores away. Liverworts are bryophytes, along with mosses and hornworts.


Long-bristled frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta), close-up of a pair of sporophytes. Focus-stacked composite of 278 exposures at 7.5x lifesize. Vacaville, Solano County, California, USA.
PLA0733


Long-bristled frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta), single sporophyte. Focus-stacked composite of 257 exposures at 7.5x lifesize. Vacaville, Solano County, California, USA.
PLA0734


Long-bristled frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta), extreme close-up of a single sporophyte. Focus-stacked composite of 506 exposures at 20x lifesize. Vacaville, Solano County, California, USA.
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Long-bristled frillwort (Fossombronia longiseta), mature sporophyte covered in spores and elaters. Note that this capsule has not dehisced yet; these spore and elater are from a nearby sporophyte. Focus-stacked composite of hundreds of exposures at 10x lifesize. Vacaville, Solano County, California, USA.
PLA0736

Next Plant: Monument plant (Frasera speciosa)



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All images copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.