I am new to plants (an ex-petroleum geologist, retired in Portugal), but getting more deeply involved. The attached plant is, I believe, a liverwort, possibly a Conocephalum, but I cannot find any pics on the Web to absolutely confirm it. Would anybody in this forum be able to recognise it?
Hi Martin, greetings from the Algarve. I am definitely not an expert on bryophytes, but it does look like Conocephalum to me perhaps Conocephalum conicum. The large pores on the upper surface are typical also the purpley ventral scales. Apparently when bruised there is a 'pleasant scent'. Two sites might be of interest: http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ There is a gallery of moss and liverwort photos. Not very extensive, but beautiful informative pictures (Does include Conocephalum conicum - but an atypical specimen). http://www.jb.ul.pt The botanic garden of the University of Lisbon ( a 'must visit' if you have not been). They have a massive herbarium of mosses and liverworts and the curator is an active bryophyte researcher ( sorry I cannot remember her name). On the website click 'coleccoes' and then 'herbario' Boa Sorte Brian PS no idea what your moss is !!