Marchantiaceae

Abstract

The family Marchantiaceae, in the order Marchantiales, a group of liverworts, is a simple plant without roots or vascular systems. They are dioecious. Anchegoniophore long petiolate, antheridiophore short petiolate, both of them are with two lines pseudo-roots and higher than thalli. Archegonia are encircled by anthodia. Capsules are globose or oblong, with cell well annularly thickening. Spores are small and smooth or rough. Only one species, Marchantia polymorpha Linn., is illustrated in this chapter.