Liverwort

plants · no-roots · bryophytes · moisture-loving

Super ancient plants. Liverworts are among the oldest land plants on Earth, with ancestors going back over 450 million years. They were here long before trees or flowers existed.

Love dampness. Liverworts need moisture to survive and grow best in wet, shady spots like rainforest floors, near streams, or on damp tree bark. They're usually found in humid climates around the world.

No roots or veins. Unlike regular plants, liverworts don't have roots to suck up water or veins to carry it around. Instead, they soak up water directly through their leaves and tiny body parts.

Gametophyte stage rules. Most of a liverwort's life is spent as a gametophyte, the stage where it makes spores and babies. This is different from trees and flowers, where the sporophyte stage is the main adult form.

Usually tiny. Most liverworts are incredibly small, often just a few millimeters across, though some species can grow larger in perfect conditions.