Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dumortier |
Taxonomical Classification: Plantae (Mosses) / Marchantiophyta / Marchantiopsida / Lunulariales / Lunulariaceae |
Crescent-cup Liverwort Maltese name not known |
Further Information: Lunularia cruciata is a complex liverwort which forms large mats of thalli of various sizes up to 12mm wide. Thalli typically branch into two smaller thalli at the margin. They have a glossy, pale green colour and finely dotted with minute, but well visible air-pores all over the abaxial surface. This liverwort is easily identified from its crescent-shaped gemmae receptacles which contain small, green, plate-like gemmae. Formation of sexual capsules are very rare. It is often seen near human habitation, particularly in damp, shady places like damp paths, aside valley beds, or soil pockets in damp, sheltered rocky areas. Flavanoids isolated from Lunularia cruciata are being investigated from their effects on white blood cells. It is also being investigated for absorption of cadmium for phytoremediation. |
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Image Code: LUNU-CRU
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