The rest of the plant is made up of densely arranged parenchyma cells which contain a few chloroplasts and may serve as storage cells. Sexual and asexual reproduction occur in Marchantia . In asexual reproduction the plant produces gemma cups on the dorsal surface. The gemma cups contain gemmae. When flooded by water the gemmae are released.
Sexual reproduction involves a sporophyte stage and a gametophyte stage.
The sporophyte stage contains the sporophyte. The sporophyte undergoes cell division and remains as a covering called the calyptra, an involucre surrounds the calyptra, and sterile hair like structures called pseudoperianths surround the involucre. Inside all this is the capsule. Meiosis occurs in the capsule. Inside the capsule are the spores and fiberous structures called elaters.