Marchantia polymorpha, commonly known as common liverwort, is a non-vascular plant belonging to the division Marchantiophyta. It is one of the most widespread liverworts globally and a classic example of a complex thalloid liverwort. The name "liverwort" is derived from its liver-shaped thallus, which, according to the medieval "doctrine of signatures," was believed to be effective in treating liver ailments. This belief system held that plants resembling parts of the human body could be used to treat diseases of those parts. Marchantia polymorpha is a dioecious plant, meaning it has separate male and female reproductive structures on different plants. Its life cycle involves both asexual and sexual reproduction.
Names in Different Countries
The name Marchantia polymorpha varies significantly across different languages, reflecting its widespread distribution and cultural significance. The name often alludes to its physical appearance or its historical uses. For example, its Japanese name, "ゼニゴケ" (zenigoke), literally translates to "coin moss," likely due to the shape of its gemmae cups. The German name, "Brunnenlebermoos," means "fountain liverwort," indicating its preference for moist habitats like those around fountains and springs.
Arabic: كبدية مائية (kibdiyya ma'iyya) - "water liverwort"
Czech: Porostnice mnohotvárná - "multiform porostnice"
German: Brunnenlebermoos - "fountain liverwort"
French: Hépatique des fontaines - "liverwort of the fountains"
Armenian: Լերդամամուռ սովորական (Lerdamamur sovvorakan) - "common liverwort"
Japanese: ゼニゴケ (Zenigoke) - "coin moss"
Polish: Porostnica wielokształtna - "multiform porostnica"
Russian: Маршанция изменчивая (Marshantsiya izmenchivaya) - "changeable marchantia"
Romanian: Fierea pământului - "bile of the earth"
Finnish: Keuhkosammal - "lung moss"
Icelandic: Stjörnumosi - "star moss"
Vietnamese: Địa tiền - "earth coin"
Swedish: Lungmossa - "lung moss"
Chinese: 全缘地钱 (Quányuán dìqián) - "entire-margined earth coin"
Terminology
The study of Marchantia polymorpha and other non-vascular plants involves specific botanical terms.
Thallus: The plant's flat, undifferentiated body, which lacks true stems, roots, and leaves. In Marchantia polymorpha, the thallus is dichotomously branched, meaning it splits into two equal parts.
Gametophyte: The dominant, haploid phase of the plant's life cycle. This is the visible, green plant body.
Sporophyte: The diploid phase, which is dependent on the gametophyte for nutrition and produces spores.
Rhizoids: Simple, single-celled filaments that anchor the plant to the substrate and absorb water and nutrients. They are not true roots. Marchantia polymorpha has two types: smooth rhizoids and tuberculate rhizoids.
Gemmae Cups: Small, cup-like structures on the dorsal surface of the thallus that contain gemmae—small, lens-shaped propagules used for asexual reproduction.
Antheridiophores: Stalked, disc-headed male reproductive structures that produce sperm.
Archegoniophores: Stalked, umbrella-headed female reproductive structures that contain eggs.
Availability
Marchantia polymorpha is a cosmopolitan species, meaning it's found almost everywhere in the world, particularly in temperate and subarctic regions. It thrives in moist, disturbed, or damp soil, often growing in greenhouses, nurseries, gardens, and along stream banks or wet cliffs. It can be a nuisance weed in cultivated areas due to its rapid asexual reproduction.
External Look
Marchantia polymorpha has a distinct appearance. The thallus is a flat, ribbon-like structure that is green to brownish-green. It can grow to be 2-10 cm long and 7-20 mm broad. The dorsal (upper) surface is a vibrant green and has a network of hexagonal patterns visible to the naked eye. The ventral (lower) surface is a pale green and covered with rhizoids. At the growing tip of each thallus branch is a notch. The most characteristic feature is the presence of the gemmae cups on the dorsal surface, which are circular with a fringed margin.
Healing Properties and Uses
Historically, Marchantia polymorpha was valued for its purported healing properties based on the doctrine of signatures. Its use in folk medicine was widespread, though not always scientifically proven.
Liver Ailments: The most famous use was for liver complaints, a belief stemming from the plant's liver-like shape.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Colds: Some traditions used it to treat respiratory ailments, including colds and consumption (an old term for tuberculosis), and as a remedy for asthma.
Diuretic: It was also used as a diuretic to treat dropsy (edema).
Topical Applications: The plant was used to treat boils and other skin ailments.
Modern scientific research has identified some bioactive compounds in Marchantia polymorpha, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenols, which may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, these findings are preliminary, and the plant is not widely used in modern herbal medicine.
Advantages
The advantages of Marchantia polymorpha are more ecological and scientific than medicinal in a modern context.
Pioneer Species: It is an excellent pioneer species, meaning it can colonize new or disturbed environments, helping to stabilize soil and prepare it for other plants.
Ecological Indicator: Its presence indicates a healthy, moist ecosystem.
Model Organism: It is a key model organism in botanical research, particularly for studying the evolution of land plants and the development of plant body plans. It's easy to grow and has a relatively simple genome.
Using Way
Historically, Marchantia polymorpha was typically prepared as an herbal infusion, decoction, or poultice.
Infusion: The dried or fresh plant material was steeped in hot water to make a tea for internal consumption.
Decoction: The plant was boiled in water to create a more concentrated liquid, also for internal use.
Poultice: Crushed or mashed plant material was applied directly to the skin to treat boils or other skin issues. It's crucial to note that these are traditional uses and should not be undertaken without professional medical advice, as the safety and efficacy of these preparations have not been established by modern medicine.
Conclusion
Marchantia polymorpha is a fascinating and globally common bryophyte with a rich history rooted in folk medicine. While its historical uses for ailments like liver complaints and tuberculosis were based on the now-outdated doctrine of signatures, the plant remains significant in botany and ecology. It serves as a vital pioneer species and a valuable model organism for scientific research. Although its traditional medicinal uses are no longer common practice, its unique life cycle and widespread presence make it a notable subject for both professional botanists and amateur nature enthusiasts.
