Story: Liverworts and hornworts

Thalloid liverwort reproductive structures

Thalloid liverwort reproductive structures

Female (above) and male (below) reproductive structures develop on separate plants and resemble little umbrellas. Female structures (archegoniophores) are identified by their hanging spokes, while male structures (antheridiophores) have a flattened surface. For fertilisation to occur, the male and female structures need to be close together so that the sperm cells can swim in a film of water to the egg cells.

Using this item

Private collection

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Liverworts and hornworts - Liverworts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10670/thalloid-liverwort-reproductive-structures (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007