Metzgeria furcata (L.) Corda

This species is the most common thallose liverwort growing epiphytically on trees and shrubs, and also on rocks. It has a wide ecological range, occurring on all but the most acid trees and rocks and being  tolerant of drought. On trees it often grows alongside Frullania dilatata, Cryphaea heteromalla, Isothecium spp., Orthotrichum spp., Radula complanata, Ulota spp. and Zygodon viridissimus, and is typically a pioneer on the middle part of tree trunks. It is found on many broadleaved trees, especially ash, sycamore and willow, and there are also records from spruce and other conifers (Atherton et al. 2010). Associates on rocks may include Diplophyllum albicans, Hypnum spp. and Trichostomum brachydontium. Saxicolous populations of M. furcata are especially frequent near the coast, alongside H. cupressiforme var. resupinatum, and it sometimes extends into turf on coastal slopes. Several records come from anthropogenic habitats, including walls, bridges, concrete gutters and grave stones (Blockeel et al. 2014, Meinunger and Schröder 2007). Its altitudinal range is ca. 0-2,400 m.