Today's image is courtesy of Dr. Robin Young, who is presently a Post Doctoral Fellow in the BioImaging Facility here at the University of British Columbia. Robin was previously a graduate student with Dr. Lacey Samuels. Thank you, Robin!

It is likely that some BPotD readers will already have encountered this image elsewhere, as it was the 4th place winner in the 2011 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. Robin also received an Image of Distinction award with this photomicrograph of a Lunularia cruciata gemma, or asexual reproductive organ (BPotD entry on Lunularia cruciata). I spotted a feature article on these photomicrographs a few days ago on the CBC web site: "Microscopic marvels showcased". This image is taken at 20x magnification, and utilizes intrinsic fluorescence.

Although it is difficult to pull together distribution information for liverworts, it seems that Lepidozia reptans, or little hands liverwort, is widespread in the northern hemisphere (I've found references for China, much of North America including the southeast and northwest, and northern Europe) and disjunct in South America. It is certainly common locally, and I often spot it on decaying or slow-growing branches in moist, shady sites. A few additional photographs of this liverwort are available from UBC's Biology 321 (Bryophytes) class web site: Lepidozia reptans.

Lastly, on the subject of contests, readers who are photographers of the regional flora of the Pacific Northwest of North America may be interested in this Botanical Art Exhibit and Contest. It is to be held in conjunction with the Conserving Plant Biodiversity in a Changing World Conference in March. Full instructions are available via the link; subject matter "reflects the beauty of flora throughout northwestern North America" and "It is essential that the subject matter is native to the northwestern North America (Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Alaska, WA, OR, ID, and MT)". There's no huge financial incentive to participate (in fact, it will likely cost a small amount due to the need for artists being responsible for framing and shipping expenses), but it's certainly a good way to draw attention to the issues being discussed.