About Blasia pusilla L.
Blasia pusilla L. is the only species in the liverwort genus Blasia. This species forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc. These cyanobacteria are stored in special cavities called auricles, which are located on the ventral (underside) surface of Blasia pusilla’s thallus. Blasia can be told apart from the related genus Cavicularia by two features: the presence of a collar around the base of the sporophyte capsule, and a scattered arrangement of sperm-producing antheridia. The rhizoids and gemmae of Blasia may be parasitized by the mushroom Blasiphalia. The genus name Blasia was chosen to honour Blasius Biagi (circa 1670 – 1735), an Italian clergyman from the village of Vallombrosa.
