Liver plants: what are they, characteristics, types and examples

As we have just said, the first thing that should be mentioned about liverworts is that they belong to the class of bryophyte plants , being non-vascular plants , that is, without a vascular system that is responsible for the transport and conduction of nutrients and substances internally. .

They are also called Hepaticophytas, Marchantiophytas or Hepaticae , although the usual thing is to call them simply liver. They get their name from the resemblance that some of these small plants bear with the kidney, which is why they were used in the Middle Ages to treat ailments of this organ.

We recommend you consult this other post on Bryophyte Plants: examples and characteristics if you want more information on this topic.

These are the main characteristics of liver plants :

• Liverworts are small plants, with heights of no more than 10 cm and rarely reaching 20 mm in thickness.
• Its life cycle alternates haploid and diploid generations, the diploid generation being of great importance, but very short life.
• Most of them need very humid and shady environments, as is generally the case in bryophytes, although there are some species of liverworts capable of withstanding direct sunlight and long-term droughts.
• Among the most notable characteristics of the parts of liver plants , we find the fact that their rhizoids , the structures with which they are attached to surfaces, are made up of a single cell.
• In addition, the sporophytes of the liverworts , which are responsible for creating spores, are not capable of photosynthesis, and their only use is to continue the reproductive and life cycle of the plant.
• For the rest, they are formed by the rhizoid, already mentioned, and by filidios and caudilios, the latter called thalli in their specific case.
• The reproduction of liver plants consists of a sexual stage and an asexual stage . In the sexual part, the plant produces archegonia and antheridia, its female and male sexual organs, when it is in optimal environmental conditions. The antheridium releases anterozoids, which fertilize the egg cells in the archegonia. From here the asexual stage begins, in which the sporophyte arises, which feeds on the gametophyte. This rises above the gametophyte, releasing and dispersing the spores. We recommend you take a look at this other article on Plant Reproduction .

Two main types of liver plants are distinguished , the foliose and the talose:

Folious liver plants

They are the most common of all: a good part of them are part of this type. Their main defining characteristic is that they have a thallus that acts as the axis for the filidia, foliose-type structures. The most common and well-known group is that of the Jungermanniales. The characteristic liver shape of many foliose is the reason for the name of liverworts that the whole genus receives.

Talose liver plants

They do not develop false leaves or foliose structure. They grow in a ribbon-like structure in a flat shape, which may or may not branch out. Simple and complex taloses are distinguished among them.

At first glance, many liverworts are so similar to mosses or hornworts that microscopic observation or great experience is required to be able to distinguish them.

Here are some names of liver plants to make it easier for you not only to find specific information about them, but also to facilitate their recognition.

Marchantia

It belongs to the Marchantiaceae family, whose most notable characteristic is its intense green color. Some specimens of this species can reach up to 30 cm. They usually grow in mountainous regions and use a rock to anchor themselves and thus achieve a greater reserve of moisture.

Jubula

From the Jubulaceae family, it is also characterized by its green color and its irregular branches. It usually grows at the base of trees or other plants in the process of decomposition. Always look for an area with a great contribution of nutrients and humidity because it is not a very vulnerable species.

Lunularia

Lunalaria, of the Lunulariaceae family, is a medium-sized and very resistant species. So much so that it can grow on apparently complicated surfaces such as ravines or occur in flat areas, yes, always close to the constant presence of water. It is also characterized by having an almost translucent green pigment, which makes it easy to identify.

Lejeunea

Finally, the lejeuna of the Lejeuneaceae family, has an intense green color and is smaller in size than the other previous example species. This usually grows on the surface of the leaves or on the bark of trees. It prefers areas with good light and airy, even so it is quite resistant to humidity.

If you want to read more articles similar to Liver plants: what they are, characteristics, types and examples , we recommend that you enter our Biology category .