Lunularia
cruciata
The gemmae
cup containing several gemmae. The hemispherical wall around the
gemmae acts as a splash cup, aiding in dispersal. Drops of water
that fly into the cup splash the gemmae out. Each gemma is an asexual
propagule that can grow into a new liverwort that is genetically
identical to the parent plant. It's as if flakes of skin splashed
off by rain could grow into new people, identical to the person
who shed the skin cells.
|