Marchantiana asserigena, a genus and species new to Norway

Abstract

Marchantiana asserigena is reported new to Norway from the south-west (counties Rogaland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane, and Møre og Romsdal) at altitudes from near sea level to 393 m. It occurs on branches of trees and shrubs and has been found on 33 species of phorophytes (including two hybridigenous ones). Larix decidua was the phorophyte with most collections. Based on the present material M. asserigena seems to be widespread in urban and suburban areas and in the cultural landscape. It is likely that M. asserigena is more widely distributed in Norway than the presented material indicates. Due to the inconspicuous thallus, the diminutive apothecia, and its unusual ecology it is easily overlooked.