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Marchantia polymorpha

Scientific Name: Marchantia polymorpha

Family: Marchantiaceae

Category: Liverwort

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Marchantia polymorpha: The Common Liverwort

Marchantia polymorpha, frequently referred to as the common liverwort or umbrella liverwort, is a widespread and well-studied liverwort found across the globe. Its prevalence and ease of genetic manipulation have made it an emerging model organism in plant biology research.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant forms dense, fleshy mats.
  • It produces umbrella-like reproductive structures.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant forms dense, fleshy mats.
  • It produces umbrella-like reproductive structures.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Marchantia polymorpha L.
  • Common Names: Common Liverwort, Umbrella Liverwort, Liverwort
  • Kingdom: Not Specified in Text
  • Phylum: Hepatophyta
  • Class: Marchantiopsida
  • Family: Marchantiaceae
  • Genus: Marchantia
  • Species: Marchantia polymorpha
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Marchantia aquatica
  • Subspecies: Marchantia polymorpha subsp. montivagans, Marchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorpha, Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis
  • Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 15587

Distribution and Habitat

  • Found throughout the entire world, particularly in tropical regions.
  • Grows well in shaded and moist areas, such as greenhouses and wet spots.
  • Can be found on organic soil.
  • Observed in locations such as Hong Kong, China, and near the Queen's Hall in Clerk Street.
  • Found in wet meadows, stream banks, pond edges, and around buildings.
  • Not native to all regions.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Forms a green mat, sometimes purplish in older plants.
  • Grows as flat sheets of tissue called thalli.
  • Produces umbrella-like reproductive structures known as gametophores.
  • Gametophytes are dark green.

Life Cycle

  • The life cycle of Marchantia polymorpha demonstrates two life stages: gametophyte and sporophyte.
  • A haploid spore germinates and develops into a thallus.
  • A group of cells developing from a spore is called a sporeling.

Ecological Role

  • It is commonly found in Arctic Alaska tundra vegetation.

Genetic and Cytological Information

  • The liverwort has ideal characteristics for molecular genetics.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Sexually dimorphic and heterothallic, bearing the sex organs on separate plants.

Further Information

  • Fire Effects Information System: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Effects Information.
  • JGI Genome Portal: Preliminary genome database for Marchantia polymorpha complete genome sequence (JGI Ver. 3.1).
  • APHOTOFLORA - Photographic Stock Library.
  • CalPhotos
  • ITIS Report: Marchantia polymorpha (TSN 15587)