Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Marchantia polymorpha Linnaeus

Family: Marchantiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Marchantia polymorpha is one of the most common Liverworts, and one that has shown up in many texts even though it is not representative of many of the features of liverworts. It is a thalloid liverwort rather than a leafy liverwort. The thallus is thin with a dark line in the middle. M. polymorpha can be readily identified by the usually abundant disc-like gemmae in cups and stalked gametophores. This liverwort is found along creeks and streams at higher elevation in the Gila National Forest.
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Marchantia polymorpha, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Leith Young, Mogollon Mtns., Bursum Road, Redstone trailhead, August 1, 2009



Marchantia polymorpha, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Leith Young, Mogollon Mtns., Bursum Road, Redstone trailhead, August 1, 2009



Marchantia polymorpha, closeup, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Leith Young, Mogollon Mtns., Bursum Road, Redstone trailhead, August 1, 2009



Marchantia polymorpha, photomicrograph of dry gemmae in gemmae cup, Iowa, Clayton County, Bixby State Park 1 mi N of Edgewood, on rocky cliff, June 2, 2012; photos Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard January 23, 2023



Marchantia polymorpha, photomicrograph of wet gemmae in gemmae cup, Iowa, Clayton County, Bixby State Park 1 mi N of Edgewood, on rocky cliff, June 2, 2012; photos Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard January 23, 2023



Marchantia polymorpha, photomicrograph of dry sporangiophore, Iowa, Clayton County, Bixby State Park 1 mi N of Edgewood, on rocky cliff, June 2, 2012; photos Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard January 23, 2023


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