Asterella drummondii (A thallose liverwort)

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A thallose liverwort with narrow strap-like thalli, some shown here (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/asterella-drummondii-RWP-6426.html). The upper surface of the thallus is green and there are black scales on the underside. The thalli fold in along their length in dry conditions. Here (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/asterella-drummondii-6.html) you see a colony of thalli on a dry day. Add some water, wait and then you see (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/asterella-drummondii-7.html), the same colony with but with the thalli now open. In this photo (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/asterella-drummondii-8.html) you see the complex structure that grows up from the thallus and holds the spore capsules. One spore capsule is held within each group of slightly bowing white straps. This photo (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/asterella-drummondii-146.html) shows two spores.

Asterella drummondii is listed in the following regions:

Canberra & Southern Tablelands | South Coast