What the heck is a LIVERWORT? 💚 It’s not moss, although they look similar and are closely related!

Bryophytes are a group of land plants, which include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. These tiny plants are non-vascular, which means that they absorb water and nutrients from the air through their surface. They also reproduce by spores instead of seeds.

Mosses and liverworts can look very similar from afar, but when you look up close, there are some key differences to look for. There are two types of liverworts: thalloid or leafy - thalloid looks quite distinct but leafy liverworts are easily confused as moss.
💚 Moss leaves usually have a midrib, while leafy liverworts do not
💚 Moss leaves grow spirally around the stem in more than three rows, while leafy liverworts usually have leaves in three rows flattened against the stem
💚 Moss leaves are typically unlobed, while liverworts can have up to six lobes on a ‘leaf’

There are other ways to identify between masses and liverworts, but these are some to get you started! Happy exploring 🤩💚

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