Marchantiales

All images on this website have been taken in Leicestershire and Rutland by NatureSpot members. We welcome new contributions - just register and use the Submit Records form to post your photos. Click on any image below to visit the species page. The RED / AMBER / GREEN dots indicate how easy it is to identify the species - see our Identification Difficulty page for more information. A coloured rating followed by an exclamation mark denotes that different ID difficulties apply to either males and females or to the larvae - see the species page for more detail.

Liverworts

Mosses, liverworts and hornworts are small plants, commonly known as bryophytes. Though small, they are a fascinating and rewarding group for anyone wanting to learn more about them. As early colonisers they can be found in virtually all terrestrial habitats. Bare soil, wall tops, tarmac - indeed just about every crevice supports one or more species. As well as being all around us, they are a good option to study in January and February when most other plants and invertebrates are absent.

The British Bryological Society provides some excellent online guidance to help identify mosses and liverworts.

The BBS guides to common mosses and liverworts are very useful.

Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: A Field Guide is an accessible guide for non-specialists and highly recommended. The BBS are currently planning a second edition.

If you know of other websites or books that you would recommend, do let us know: info@naturespot.co.uk

Thallose Liverworts

Marchantiales