Liverworts are mostly found in moist and shady localities.
The gametophyte can be either thalloid (Riccia, Marchantia) or can have leaf-like appendages in two rows on a stem-like axis (Porella).
The thallus is dorsiventral, prostate and has unicellular rhizoids (smooth walled and pegged) and multicellular scales known as Amphigastria on the ventral side.
Dichotomous branching is seen in Riccia and Marchantia.
Vegetative reproduction is by fragmentation or by the formation of multicellular green structures called Gemmae (Marchantia).
During sexual reproduction, antheridia and archegonia are formed on the same thallus (Riccia) or on different thalli (Marchantia).
The sporophyte is usually complete parasite on gametophyte and has no columella. It has foot and capsule or foot, seta and capsule.
Sterile, unicellular sporogenous cells with spiral wall thickenings known as Elaters are formed in the capsule of some liverworts like Marchantia. These help in Spore dispersal.