Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Philonotis marchica is both easy to identify and confusing. It is easy to identify IF you can see papillae on the distal ends of cells (toward the tip end) at the base of the leaf. However, these papillae can be absent or very subtle. In addition, the leaf cells are highly variable can be either rectangular or elongate on the same plant, causing some confusion with Philonotis capillaris. The apex is acute and the upper half of the leaf is usually dentate. Philonotis marchica occurs at lower elevation and in drier areas than Philonotis fontana, which has the papillae on the proximal (stem end) of the cells. Other differences that P. fontana is larger and found in larger clumps than P. marchica and P. fontana frequently has sporophytes while they are uncommon on P. marchica. Philonotis marchica is found on granitic substrates at or just above the level of seasonal creekbeds.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Philonotis marchica, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
Philonotis marchica, 3x macro of stem, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
Philonotis marchica, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
Philonotis marchica, 100x photomicrograph of different leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
Philonotis marchica, 100x photomicrograph of different leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
Philonotis marchica, 400x photomicrograph of leaf cells with papillae on the end distal from the stem, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Sycamore Canyon, August 31, 2010
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