Some species, such as Marchantia and Lunularia , also produce special asexual reproductive bodies known as gemmae. This is a gemma-cup . Note the small green bodies borne in the base of the cup. Detach one of these and observe it under the microscope. The gemma is a miniature thallus, and in a favorable environment it will start to grow rapidly.
Sexual reproduction is similar to that for mosses.
The sperm must be splashed or swim up a film of water to reach the egg in the archegonium. Examine the male and female Marchantia plants available. Place a drop of water on the broad surface of the umbrella-like end of the antheridiophore. If we are lucky, you should observe sperm shedding and might be able to get a wet mount of the liverwort sperm. Look carefully at a specimen of a leafy liverwort if available.