About Metzgeria furcata (L.) Corda
Metzgeria furcata, commonly called the Forked Veilwort, has a clearly visible midrib running through its 1mm wide thallus all the way to the thallus tip, but this midrib does not form an excurrent nerve beyond the tip. Its most defining characteristic is that both the thalli and the midrib fork at their ends, a feature that is visible on most of its patches. This species rarely produces sporophytes, but inflorescences can be found on the underside of many of its patches. Across the British Isles, Metzgeria furcata occurs throughout most of the region, but it is less widespread in Ireland and some parts of the Scottish Highlands. It can also be found on the Scilly Isles, Shetland, Orkney, and the Isle of Man.
