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| Marchantia polymorpha | |
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Marchantia polymorpha This inhabitant of wet spots in the Southside was found next to the Queen's Hall in Clerk Street. This is the typical appearance of Marchantia
polmorpha (common liverwort). |
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Marchantia polymorpha The upper surface of this bryophyte was covered with pores that allow air and carbon dioxide to reach the inner cells of the thallus. These pores are similar to the stomata found in higher plants but lack the ability to open and close to regulate water loss The cup shaped structures on the thallus of the plant contain gemmae which are non-sexual reproductive structures. The small, discoid shaped, gemmae may be distributed by falling raindrops which, on striking the gemmae within the cup, propel them some distance from the parent plant. |
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Marchantia polymorpha Marchantia polymorpha reproduces sexually by producing both male an female structures that contain the sperm and eggs. The male gamete bearing parts of the liverwort are called antheridiophores. They are borne on stalks and have flat heads with 6-9 short rounded lobes. The image shows a top view of some of these organs seen on a specimen found in the old Buccleuch Paris Church graveyard. |
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Marchantia polymorpha The female gamete bearing structures are called carpophores and are found as umbrella-shaped structures on the end of long stalks. This particular specimen was spotted growing in the grounds of the old Royal Infirmary a few days before it was closed. |
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Marchantia polymorpha This specimen of marchantia polymorpha was not found in the Southside but is shown here to illustrate the form taken by plant when allowed to grow on open ground. The liverwort thallus has grown fan-like from the dark area in the centre where growth commenced. |
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