Let me share with you a difference between liverworts and mosses.
| Aspect | Liverworts | Mosses |
| Structure Ā of gametophyte | Thallus (flat and ribbon-like) or leafy | Leafy structures with stems and leaves |
| Rhizoids | Single-celled or multi-cellular, often scattered on the lower surface | Single-celled, often clustered on the lower surface |
| Spore capsule | May be elevated or embedded in the thallus, lacks a seta (stalk) | Typically elevated on a seta (stalk), capsule may have a peristome for spore release |
| Sporophyte dependency | May be more independent of the gametophyte | Often more dependent on the gametophyte for nutrients and water |
| Reproduction | Can reproduce through spores and gemmae cups (asexual reproduction) | Reproduce through spores and some species also produce specialized structures (gemmae cups) for asexual reproduction |
| Habitat | Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Soil
Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Rocks Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Tree bark |
Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Moist woodlands Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Rocks Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Soil |
| Leaf arrangement | Simple, may lack differentiation into distinct stems and leaves | Distinct leaves arranged spirally or in whorls along the stem |
| Capsule Dehiscence | Dehiscence can be irregular, without a well-defined mechanism | Often dehisce through a well-defined mechanism, such as the peristome teeth |
| Examples | Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Marchantia
Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Riccia Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Pellia |
Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Polytrichum
Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Sphagnum Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Bryum |