ENH278

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia

polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production1
Chris Marble, Marc S. Frank, Dail Laughinghouse, Shawn Steed, and Nathan Boyd2

Liverwort is a common weed problem in production Habitat

nurseries and greenhouses. This article has been written to In ornamental plant production, liverworts are commonly
help growers identify liverwort, understand its biology, and found growing in cool, moist areas. This may include
inform them of ways this weed can be managed in their around container-grown ornamental plants (typically those
operation. that are overhead irrigated), in greenhouses, propagation
and nursery ground cloth areas, and in any other poorly
Species Description drained or moist areas (Figure 1). Liverworts typically favor
nutrient-rich areas like potting media (Altland n.d.).
Order
Marchantiales

Family
Marchantiaceae

Species
Marchantia polymorpha L.

Other Common Names

Common liverwort, umbrella liverwort

Figure 1. Liverwort growing on weed mat on the floor of a nursery.

Credits: Annette Chandler, UF/IFAS

1. This document is ENH278, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS. Original publication date September 2017.
Revised March 2021. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Chris Marble, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center; Marc S. Frank,
Extension botanist, University of Florida Herbarium; Dail Laughinghouse, assistant professor, Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale
Research and Education Center; Shawn Steed, environmental horticulture production Extension agent; and Nathan Boyd, associate professor,
Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Disclaimer: Mention of a commercial or herbicide brand name or chemical does not constitute a recommendation or warranty of the product by the
authors or UF/IFAS, nor does it imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable. Products should be used according to label
instructions and safety equipment required on the label and by federal or state law should be employed. Pesticide registrations may change, so it is the
responsibility of the user to ascertain if a pesticide is registered by the appropriate state and federal agencies for its intended use.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services
only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

Reviewed: 04/2024
Distribution anchor the liverwort to the surface it is growing on and
Occurs in temperate and tropical regions worldwide in a help to absorb, conduct, and retain water through capillary
variety of moist, sunny-to-shady habitats. Commonly grows action.
on damp, recently burned soils. The moist, nutrient-rich
conditions found in many nurseries and greenhouses are
favorable for liverwort growth.

Growth Habit
Dense, green, prostrate or low-growing mats that cover the
soil or container media surface. As the liverwort mat forms,
it becomes highly competitive with the crop for water and
nutrients. Thick mats of liverworts may prevent irrigation
and/or fertilizer applications from reaching crop roots, and,
when dried, can actually repel water (Neal and Derr 2005).

Foliage
Liverworts do not have true leaves or stems, but have Figure 3. Hair-like rhizoids on the underside of the thallus anchor the
undifferentiated bodies, called thalli (singular thallus), liverwort in place.
which are glossy green, flattened, irregularly branched, and Credits: Chris Marble
overlapping (Figure 2). Thalli have dorsiventral symmetry, Reproductive Structures
meaning the upper and lower surfaces are different. The
Liverworts are able to spread rapidly because they
upper surface is photosynthetic and, on mature thalli, bears
reproduce both sexually and asexually. In sexual
cup-shaped non-sexual reproductive structures (gemmae),
reproduction, stalked, umbrella-like male and female
as well as erect, stalked, umbrella-like sexual reproductive
reproductive structures are borne on separate thalli. The
organs (gametophores). Thalli contain oil bodies, which
male reproductive organs (antheridia), which produce
may function in UV protection, cold resistance, and
the sperm, are located on the upper surface of a flattened
herbivore deterrence (He et al. 2013).
disc atop a narrow stalk (antheridiophore) (Figure 4).
The female reproductive structures (archeogoniophores)
are also stalked, but the upper portion has narrow lobes
bending downward along its margins, and the reproductive
organs (archegonia), which produce the eggs, are located
on the underside of those lobes (Figure 5). Sperm cells
produced by the antheridia travel via water (typically from
rain or irrigation splashing on the upper surface of the
antheridiophore) to fertilize the eggs on the undersides
of the archeogoniophore. Spores then develop and, once
mature, are dispersed by wind or water and will germinate
on a moist substrate under suitable growing conditions. In
asexual reproduction, vegetative propagules called gemmae
are produced inside circular gemmae cups (Figure 6).
Gemmae are spread by irrigation or rainfall splashing into
Figure 2. Thalli (the leaf-like bodies of the liverwort) are flattened, the gemmae cups (Shimamura 2015). When hand-weeding
irregularly branching, and overlapping. They bear gemmae cups for pots, it is critical that all liverwort plant tissue be removed
asexual reproduction on their upper surfaces. from the pots to prevent regrowth. Even then, tiny spores or
Credits: Chris Marble
gemmae may be present on the soil surface and will result
Roots in regrowth.
Although liverworts do not have true roots (containing
vascular tissues called xylem and phloem), they have
unicellular hair-like structures called rhizoids, which grow
from the underside of the thallus (Figure 3). Rhizoids

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production 2

 Similar Species
There are 6,000 to 9,000 species of liverworts, with March-
antia polymorpha being the most common species found
in nursery production. Liverworts may appear similar to
some mosses and other non-vascular plants, but can be
distinguished by their reproductive structures, unicellular
rhizoids, and distinctive growth habit. Another liverwort
species, Lunularia cruciata, or crescent cup liverwort, has
been observed growing in nurseries in other states, but
reports indicate that it is easier to manage than Marchantia
polymorpha (Altland n.d.). As its common name suggests,
Lunularia cruciata can be recognized by its crescent-shaped
gemmae cups, while the gemmae cup of Marchantia
polymorpha is circular in outline.
Figure 4. Antheridiophores, or male reproductive structures (shown by
red arrow). The sperm-producing antheridia are located on the upper
surface. Plant Biology
Credits: Chris Marble
Liverworts are considered the oldest lineage of terrestrial
land plants. In Florida, they can grow year-round, especially
in greenhouses and other climate-controlled production
areas that remain relatively cool or are shaded. As indicated,
they are found primarily in areas that stay moist throughout
the year, are humid, and are high in nutritional content.
Liverworts are not usually found in areas that remain dry
for extended times because water is required for their
reproduction.

Management
Cultural and Physical Control
Liverwort management requires an integrated approach
and cannot be controlled effectively with herbicides alone.
Figure 5. Archeogoniphores, or female reproductive structures (shown
by red arrow). The archegonia, which produce eggs, are located on the Avoid introducing infested stock. Sanitation in the nursery
lower surface of the downward curving lobes. or greenhouse environment is critical. Sanitize greenhouse
Credits: Chris Marble surfaces, pots, and tools with labeled disinfectants (quater-
nary ammonium, peroxides, etc.). Avoiding over-irrigation,
improving drainage (both in containers and in walkways,
floors, greenhouses, etc.), increasing airflow, and switching
to micro or drip irrigation systems where feasible can
help reduce liverwort infestations. Sub-irrigation systems
may also reduce liverwort occurrence (Dumroese et al.
2006, Schmal et al. 2001, Svenson 1998). Mulching with
large-particle, porous materials like pine bark or hazelnut
shells can also decrease liverwort cover (Svenson 1998).
Soil-incorporated rather than top-dressed fertilizer may
also further decrease liverwort growth (Altland n.d.). Do
not over-fertilize, because high nitrogen and phosphorous
levels may increase liverwort growth.

Figure 6. Gemmae cups (shown by red arrow) contain asexual

propagules that splash out and spread liverwort vegetatively.
Credits: Chris Marble

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production 3

Chemical Control some control of liverwort, and the areas in which they can
be applied, are summarized in Table 2. Additional informa-
Preemergence Herbicides tion on other active ingredients, crop safety, and research
Flumioxazin (Broadstar and SureGuard) are labeled for summaries are available in the IR-4 ornamental horticulture
liverwort control. Broadstar is a granular formulation and database available at http://ir4.rutgers.edu/Ornamental/
can be applied over the top of many woody nursery crops. Ornamentals.cfm.
SureGuard is a water-dispersible granule (WDG) formula-
tion that must be sprayed as a directed application, avoiding
crop foliage. Thus, it is most useful in larger containers,
References
and especially with leafless deciduous trees or on nursery Altland, J.A. n.d. Marchantia polymorpha liverwort page.
floors. Neither product can be used inside a greenhouse Accessed: March 27, 2017. https://horticulture.oregonstate.
(SureGuard can be applied if no plants are present; grow- edu/weed/liverwort.
ers should wait 24 hours and water in SureGuard before
Dumroese, R.K., J.R. Pinto, D.F. Jacobs, A.S. Davis, and B.
bringing plants inside a treated greenhouse). Research
Horiuchi. 2011. “Subirrigation reduces water use, nitrogen
trials in Oregon and Alabama (Altland n.d., Newby 2006)
loss, and moss growth in a container nursery.” Native Plant
have demonstrated that herbicides containing oxyfluorfen
J. 7(3):253–261.
(OH2, Regal O-O, Rout, etc.) or oxadiazon (Ronstar) may
reduce liverwort coverage on container media when applied
He, X., Y. Sun, and R.-L. Zhu. 2013. “The oil bodies in
preemergence. All three of these herbicides (flumioxazin,
liverworts: unique and important organelles in land plants.”
oxyfluorfen, and oxadiazon) are Group 14 herbicides
Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 32(5):293–302.
known as “protox” or protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)
inhibitors. Preemergence herbicides containing these Neal, J.C. and D.F. Derr. 2005. “Weeds of container nurser-
active ingredients may provide some level of suppression ies in the United States.” North Carolina Assoc. of Nursery-
depending upon nursery conditions, but further research men, Inc. Raleigh, NC. 16 p.
is needed. Preemergence herbicides are less effective if
cultural conditions favoring liverwort growth are not Newby, A.F. 2006. “Liverwort control in container-grown
corrected. Herbicides showing some efficacy on liverwort nursery crops.” Thesis, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. 80
are summarized in Table 1. p.

Postemergence Herbicides Schmal, J.L., R.K. Dumroese, A.S. Davis, J.R. Pinto, and D.F.
Glyphosate offers little to no control. In addition to Jacobs. 2011. “Subirrigation for production of native plants
preemergence use, flumioxazin (SureGuard, Broadstar) in nurseries – concepts, current knowledge, and implemen-
can provide some postemergence control of liverwort. tation.” Native Plants. 12(2):81–93.
However, control is usually much greater and faster with
SureGuard. Acetic acid (vinegar) products have also Shimamura, M. 2015. Marchantia polymorpha: “Tax-
provided liverwort control in research trials (Altland n.d.). onomy, phylogeny, and morphology of a model system.”
When considering acetic acid or other products, only those Plant Cell Physio. Accessed: March 21, 2017. https://
labeled for use as pesticides in nurseries should be applied. academic.oup.com/pcp/article/57/2/230/2460945.
Other herbicides that have shown efficacy on liverwort
Svenson, S.E. 1998. “Suppression of liverwort growth in
include mostly non-systemic contact products including
containers using irrigation, mulches, fertilizers, and herbi-
diquat (Reward), ammonium nonanoate (Axxe), sodium
cides.” HortScience. 33:3 S231.
carbonate peroxyhydrate (TerraCyte), and pelargonic acid
(Scythe). All of these herbicides can cause significant dam-
age to ornamentals when applied to foliage or other green
tissues. Therefore, be sure sprays are directed away from
the plant. Dimethenamid-p (Tower) is a preemergence
herbicide labeled for use over the top of many ornamental
plants. However, research has shown that it may provide
some postemergence control of liverwort when applied at
32 fl. oz. per acre, but Tower herbicide is slow to work and
results may vary. Postemergence herbicides that provide

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production 4

Table 1. This table lists registered pesticides that should be integrated with other pest management methods. Contact your
local UF/IFAS Extension office for additional information (https://ifas.ufl.edu). Contact: Weed Specialist (marblesc@ufl.edu).
Table 1. Protox1 inhibiting preemergence herbicides labeled for use in ornamental plant production.
Common Name (active Example trade name and WSSA Herbicide Container Field production Greenhouse or
ingredient) formulation Group2 production fully-enclosed
structures
flumioxazin3 Broadstar™ 0.25G 14 YES YES NO
SureGuard 51WDG
®
YES 4
YES 4
YES5
oxadiazon Ronstar® 2G 14 YES YES NO
oxyfluorfen Goal® 2XL (EC) 14 YES4 YES4 NO
oxadiazon + prodiamine RegalStar® II 14 + 3 YES YES NO
oxyfluorfen + oryzalin Rout 3G
®
14 + 3 YES YES NO
oxyfluorfen + OH2® 3G 14 + 3 YES YES NO
pendimethalin
oxyfluorfen + prodiamine Biathlon® 2.75G 14 + 3 YES YES NO
oxyfluorfen + oxadiazon Regal OO, Double O™ 3G 14 + 14 YES YES NO
1
Herbicides with this mode of action (Group 14) have shown some efficacy in previous preemergence liverwort research trials. Not all
herbicides or combinations have been tested, and results may vary based on individual nursery conditions. It is likely that regardless of
herbicide choice, liverwort will not be controlled effectively if proper cultural and sanitation practices are not followed.
2
Herbicide groups are based according to primary sites of action and can be used to select herbicides that have differing sites of action (Weed
Technology 17:605-619 [2003]) so as to minimize the potential for the development of herbicide resistant weeds.
3
Flumioxazin (SureGuard and Broadstar) is the only herbicide that lists liverwort on the label as a controlled species.
4
Can only be used in selected conifer and deciduous tree species. Check manufacturer’s label for a complete list of species and recommended
application methods.
5
Cannot be used while a crop is inside the house. Check label for further details and precautions.

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production 5

Table 2. This table lists registered pesticides that should be integrated with other pest management methods. Contact your
local UF/IFAS Extension office for additional information (https://ifas.ufl.edu). Contact: Weed Specialist (marblesc@ufl.edu).
Table 2. Herbicides labeled for use in ornamental plant production that provide postemergence liverwort control1.
Active Ingredient Example trade Container Field production Greenhouse or Notes
name production fully-enclosed
structures
acetic acid many products YES YES YES Must be labeled and manufactured
(vinegar) available for use as a pesticide. See individual
product label for use sites.
ammonium Axxe YES YES YES Repeated applications may be needed.
nonanoate
diquat Reward YES YES YES Use with a surfactant; repeated
applications may be needed.
d-limonene AvengerAg YES YES YES Repeat applications may be needed.
dimethenamid-p Tower YES YES NO Used as a preemergence herbicide;
may provide control or suppression in
some instances. Will work slowly.
flumioxazin Broadstar YES YES NO Greater control generally achieved with
SureGuard YES YES NO SureGuard.

oxadiazon Ronstar 2G YES YES NO Granular formulation typically less

Ronstar FLO effective and slower to provide control.
Sprayable formulations (FLO) are only
labeled for over the top use on select
species. Check label for details.
oxyfluorfen GoalTender YES YES NO Can be used only in selected conifers
and trees. See label for more details.
pelargonic acid Scythe YES YES YES Repeated applications may be needed.
sodium carbonate TerraCyte YES NO YES Do not let granules become trapped
peroxyhydrate in/on ornamental plant foliage or injury
may result.
1
Herbicides that have shown postemergence activity on liverwort in nursery conditions in research trials. Results may vary depending upon
liverwort growth stage and environmental factors. With the exception of Tower, Broadstar, and Ronstar 2G, apply all products as a directed
application (avoiding crop foliage). Other non-selective, contact action postemergence herbicides may also be effective. It is unlikely complete
liverwort control will be achieved using herbicides alone. Proper cultural and sanitation practices are needed for long-term success.

Biology and Management of Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) in Ornamental Crop Production 6