15 May 2012

Liverworts and Hornworts

A selection of our more conspicuous species, noted at Oxwich on Saturday:
Common Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis) with
cups containing gemmae (used in asexual reproduction), growing over
Crescent-cup Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata) far left 
Common Liverwort - female archegonial heads emerging -
one of the largest thallose liverworts in the UK
Common Liverwort - female archegonial heads maturing -
it's not uncommon to see this species in garden centre plant pots
Smooth Hornwort (Phaeoceros laevis) female plants
not so common, but undoubtedly overlooked