The image is of liverworts. These are mat-forming, annual spore-producing plants.

Liverworts – Division Marchantiophyta

(Division Marchantiophyta)

Life cycle

Mat-forming, annual spore-producing plants.

General description

Prostrate and spreading plants that often grow together to form thick mats on the surface of excessively moist soils. The foliage is not obviously differentiated into true leaves, stems, or roots. Plants have rootlike rhizoids, which are not true roots but have similar functions. Small, round to crescent-shaped cups are formed on the foliage. These cups produce budlike structures that are dispersed by water to form new plants. Reproduction also occurs by spores released from palm-treelike structures. No true flowers or fruit are produced.

Foliage

Thick, dull green, ribbonlike foliage with lobed to forked margins.

Reproduction

Vegetatively and by spores.

The image is of liverworts. These are mat-forming, annual spore-producing plants.
Liverwort plant
The photo is a close up of liverwort foliage with crescent-shaped cups. There are also palm-treelike structures that release spores.
Liverwort foliage with cups
The image is a close up of liverwort foliage. The foliage is thick, dull green, and ribbonlike. The margins are lobed to forked.
Liverwort foliage
The image is a close up of the spore stalks that resemble palm trees.
Liverwort spore stalks

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Tag List
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics,
  • spore-producing

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