# Snakewort (*conocephalum salebrosum*) Conocephalum salebrosum, commonly known as the snakewort or snakeskin liverwort, is a fascinating non-vascular land plant belonging to the division Marchantiophyta. Resembling a reptile's scaly hide, this liverwort spreads across damp, shaded rocks and soils in moist temperate forests. It is renowned for its distinctive snakeskin-like pattern on its thallus and its surprising, strong spicy-sweet aroma when crushed. As a primitive bryophyte, it lacks true roots, vascular tissues, and flowers, instead relying on thread-like rhizoids to anchor itself and absorb moisture directly from its humid environment. This species plays an important role in forest ecosystems, helping to pioneer damp soil surfaces, prevent soil erosion, and maintain local moisture levels. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Typically found on damp, shaded rocks, wet clay banks, and near streams in moist, temperate forests. ![Snakewort](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/558283380/medium.jpg) Photo: Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/558283380) ## Appearance This species is characterized by its flat, ribbon-like green body (thallus) that forms dense, overlapping mats. The upper surface of the thallus is divided into a conspicuous, hexagonal pattern resembling scales, with a visible white air pore in the center of each hexagon, giving it a distinctive snakeskin texture. The thallus lobes are typically 1 to 2 centimeters wide and can grow up to 10 to 20 centimeters in length, showing a dull or slightly glossy light to dark green color. Underneath, pale rhizoids anchor the plant to its substrate. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Marchantiophyta - **Class:** Marchantiopsida - **Order:** Marchantiales - **Family:** Conocephalaceae - **Genus:** Conocephalum ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, Conocephalum, translates to 'conical head', referring to the cone-shaped structures that bear its spore-producing organs. - The hexagonal patterns on its surface act like tiny greenhouses, optimizing light absorption while minimizing water loss. - When crushed, Snakewort releases a powerful and unique aroma similar to fresh, sweet turpentine or mushrooms due to its specialized oil bodies. ## Special abilities - **Aromatic Chemical Defense:** Produces a rich blend of volatile terpenoids that emit a strong, pleasant, spicy-sweet fragrance when crushed, discouraging herbivores from feeding on it. - **Desiccation Tolerance:** Can survive periods of moderate drying by entering a dormant state, rapidly reviving and resuming photosynthesis upon contact with water. - **Clonal Colonization:** Utilizes specialized gemmae or thallus fragmentation to quickly clone itself and colonize wet, bare rock surfaces where other plants struggle to grow. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-10 years ## Diet & Feeding As a photosynthetic non-vascular plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. - **Primary Foods:** Sunlight, Water, Carbon dioxide, Dissolved minerals ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Dusky Slug (*Arion subfuscus*) — Slugs frequently feed on the soft, non-vascular tissues of the liverwort thallus. - **Competitor:** Common Liverwort (*Marchantia polymorpha*) — Competes for space and resources on wet, shaded clay banks and damp rocky walls. - **Competitor:** Common Smoothcap Moss (*Atrichum undulatum*) — Co-occurs and competes for substrate attachment in damp forest floor communities. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Snakewort? Compare growth form, branching, tiny leaves and any spore capsules. Mosses, liverworts and lichens can share a spot but are very different organisms. Moss Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Snakewort? 5-20 cm ### How much does Snakewort weigh? 0.001-0.01 kg ### How long does Snakewort live? 1-10 years ### What does Snakewort eat? As a photosynthetic non-vascular plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. ### Where is Snakewort usually found? Typically found on damp, shaded rocks, wet clay banks, and near streams in moist, temperate forests. ## Where to spot - [Bixby State Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bixby-state-preserve) — Iowa, US · Nature Reserve - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Normal School Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/normal-school-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parfreys-glen-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Starved Rock Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/starved-rock-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Snakewort](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/snakewort) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Snakewort: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snakewort)