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NZ Plants
Fossombronia wondraczekii
Family: Fossombroniaceae
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Plants
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Thallus
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The growing tip of a thallus revealing the fleshy stem with developing 'leaves'
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Young stem with rhizoids
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Older stem with rhizoids
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Emerging capsule of the sporophyte surrounded by a perianth (modified leaves)
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Spophyte with elongated stalk (seta) and terminal capsule
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Perianth at base of seta
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Capsule opening
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Fully open capsule from below with spores and elater cells.
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Older capsule without spores
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Fossombronia wondraczekii has a thallus consisting of a fleshy and creeping stem up to 1.5 cm long with purple rhizoids. The stem expands at intervals into thinner 'leaves' or lobes which are curled and crisped, giving them a lettuce-like appearance. Capsules are globose and are borne on short stalks.
Widespread throughtout New Zealand in a wide variety of habitats, from wet soil and streamsides to walls and city streets.