Liverwort facts for kids
The liverworts are a group of simple plants. Molecular evidence based on mitochondrial DNA suggests strongly that they are the stem group from which mosses, hornworts and all higher plants evolved.
Liverworts are usually regarded as Bryophytes, together with mosses and hornworts. Recent taxonomy places them separately in a division called the Marchantiophyta, or even the Antheroceratophyta. However, since the classification is not yet settled, we keep the old terms for convenience.
Liverworts, are small plants with flattened bodies, or with flattened stems bearing overlapping scales.
Reproduction
Liverworts have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle. This is a type of alternation of generations similar to that of mosses. Cells in a typical liverwort plant are haploid for most of its life cycle. Their stalked sporophytes (diploid) are very short-lived, withering away soon after releasing the spores.
Images for kids
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The archegonium of Porella. -
A sporophyte of Porella emerging from its archegonium. -
Porella platyphylla clump growing on a tree. -
Pellia epiphylla, growing on moist soil. -
Plagiochila asplenioides, a leafy liverwort. -
Riccia fluitans, an aquatic thallose liverwort. -
Conocephalum conicum, a large thallose liverwort.
See also
In Spanish: Hepaticophyta para niños
