# 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.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 6
- **Habitat:** Forests
- **Also known as:** Common Liverwort

![Marchantia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Moos_5772.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Manfred Morgner ( ka-em-zwei-ein ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moos_5772.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Marchantiophyta
- **Class:** Marchantiopsida
- **Order:** Marchantiales
- **Family:** Marchantiaceae
- **Genus:** Marchantia

## 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

- **Cloning Power:** Marchantia can grow tiny clones called gemmae in cups, allowing it to rapidly spread in new damp places.
- **Water Drinker:** Marchantia has a flat body that absorbs water directly from rain or dew, helping it stay hydrated.
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs sometimes graze on its thalli.
- **Eaten by:** [Leopard slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Can be a food source for larger slugs.
- **Shelter:** Springtail (*Folsomia candida*) — Provides moist, shaded cover for tiny insects.

## Traits

- [Nonvascular](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nonvascular): This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## 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 to identify Marchantia?

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 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

## Where to spot

- [Currier Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/currier-park-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District
- [Hudson Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hudson-falls-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District
- [Brantley Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brantley-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District
- [Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boston-aquarial-and-zoological-gardens) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo
- [Indian Hill Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/indian-hill-avenue-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District
- [Metro South Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metro-south-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District

[View all places to see Marchantia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/marchantia)

## 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: [Marchantia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marchantia)