Unidentified liverwort

[Bruce Williams]

Northants garden. Growing on soil in large pot containing Heuchera'

Help with identification appreciated. I would also be interested to know what the seed-like bits are inside the 'cups'.



Bruce

[Tiggrx]

It is Marchantia polymorpha a common weedy species in plantpots, greenhouses etc., but also growing in more natural places.

I can't offhand remember what the seed-like bits are called - off to research

[Tiggrx]

one quick research later...

the seed like things are gemmae and are used for vegetative reproduction. They are washed out of the gemmae cups by raindrops etc. and grow into new plants.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help with identification Tiggrex and for the interesting info on the gemmae.

I though some members might be interested in seeing a close-up of the gemma cups and gemmae:



Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

I've done a bit more reading on the life cycle of the Common Liverwort and was struck by how similar this form of asexual reproduction is in appearance and function (ie, reliance on rain drops for dispersal) to the 'bird's nest fungi'. Here's a pic I posted to the Gallery in 2007:

Fluted Bird's Nest - Cyathus striatus


Bruce