Bryophytes After Bushfire – Marchantia berteroana • 03.13.10
Liverwort - Marchantia berteroana. Gemmae cups.
The liverwort – Marchantia berteroana has been observed on our bush block in abundance since the bushfire over a year ago. Before the bushfire it was rarely seen, but in the past year after the bushfire with the landscape cleared and a good ash bed laid down Marchantia berteroanahas abounded. Marchantia berteroana and the moss Funaria hygrometrica are both fire loving and important species preparing the soil after bushfire for other indigenous plants to follow.
Liverwort - Marchantia berteroana male parts antheridiophores. Also Moss - Funaria hygrometrica
We find Marchantia berteroanahas been through a range of visual stages over the year, firstly spreading in size, flat over the ground. Then forming gemmae cups on top, followed by the male reproductive organs (the antheridiophores) then finally the fertile female reproductive organs (the archegoniophores), which release the spores from their underside.
Liverwort - Marchantia berteroana female parts archegoniophores.
We found the male antheridiophores of the liverwort – Marchantia berteroanato be so beautiful. The unique shape are almost a piece of artwork in themselves and we are thinking of painting these shapes onto a wall or other part of out home. Of course thats if we get time…..
Often some of the smallest things in our backyards can be so interesting it is just a matter of spending time to observe and finding the right people to ask questions to if you don’t understand what you are seeing. The Australian National Botanic Gardens were a great help to me answering all my questions whilst learning about Liverworts in my backyard.
