The gametophyte of thallose liverworts is a flattened structure, usually found on moist soil, logs, wet rock outcroppings, etc. They attach to the substrate by rhizoids, outgrowths from epidermal cells. Most species of thallose liverworts such as the common Marchantia spp. are associated with fungi in the Glomeromycota. Intracellular structures, including arbuscules and vesicles similar to those of arbuscular mycorrhizal associations described for many of the seedless vascular plants, are formed within non-photosynthetic cells of the thallus.

Species of hornworts are also colonized by fungi in the Glomeromycota forming arbuscular mycorrhiza-like associations.

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Diagram

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha

Marchantia polymorpha