The Liverworts

The liverworts are the most primitive of the non-vascular plants, commonly called Bryophytes. These plants are found mostly in moist, humid environments, but exist virtually everywhere. Bryophytes can range in size from those that are barely visible to the naked eye to those that can grow to a height of 20 cm or more. Due to their lack of vascular tissue, bryophytes must remain small (as seen above) in order to utilize valuable water resources from the environment.

Niche in the Environment:

Liverworts usually inhabit moist environments due to their structure. Flagellated sperm utilize the surrounding water as a method of transportation to reach the female gamete. Also, liverworts have trouble retaining water due to their thin cuticle, so a low-lying, moist area is most preferrable. The absence of a developed vascular system for the internal transportation of water necesitates an environment rich in water for the liverworts to reside in. Liverworts and other bryophytes are ideally suited to occupy the low areas of moist environments.

Characteristics

Some common Bryophytes in their natural environment

Evolutionary History

Life Cycle and Development

* Unless otherwise cited, photos and information come from the following sources: 1) Cambell, Neil A. Biology Fourth ed. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., Menlo Park: 1996 . 2) Krempels, Dana M. Tiptoe Through The Taxa. Oryctolagus Press, Miami: 1997. 3) Smith, A.J.E. The Liverworts of Britain and Ireland. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 1990. 4) Watson, Vernon E. British Mosses and Liverworts. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 1981. 5) Van De Graaff, Kent M. and John L. Crawley. A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory. Morton Publishing Company, Englewood: 1996.

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