Marchantia
ExplorePlants
Marchantia
Marchantia polymorpha
Marchantia is a type of liverwort, a small plant that grows close to the ground. It has flat, lobed leaves that look like tiny green hearts. You can find it in damp places like forests and near streams.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Marchantia is a flat, bright green plant with a broad, lobed body resembling a ribbon or liver. Its upper surface often features distinct cup-like structures called gemma cups, and some patches display tiny umbrella-shaped stalks.
KingdomPlantaePhylumMarchantiophytaClassMarchantiopsidaOrderMarchantialesFamilyMarchantiaceaeGenusMarchantia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It has tiny "umbrellas" that release its dust-like spores!
Look for little cups on its body that grow exact mini-copies of itself!
Marchantia is super old, helping scientists learn about Earth's first land plants!
This plant drinks water straight through its skin, no roots needed!
Special abilities
Ability
Cloning Power
Marchantia can grow tiny clones called gemmae in cups, allowing it to rapidly spread in new damp places.
Ability
Water Drinker
Marchantia has a flat body that absorbs water directly from rain or dew, helping it stay hydrated.
Ability
Sticky Anchors
Marchantia has tiny, hair-like rhizoids that grip surfaces, helping it stay put in damp environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 0.5-2 cm
- Spread
- 5-15 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
Black slug
Arion ater
Slugs sometimes graze on its thalli.
eaten by
Leopard slug
Limax maximus
Can be a food source for larger slugs.
shelters
Springtail
Folsomia candida
Provides moist, shaded cover for tiny insects.
Traits
Nonvascular
This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Common Liverwort
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy looking at Marchantia in nature, but avoid picking or touching it to let it thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Marchantia?
0.5-2 cm
How wide does Marchantia spread?
5-15 cm
Is Marchantia edible?
No
Is Marchantia toxic?
None
What is Marchantia's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is Marchantia usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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