Practice question

Liverworts notably Marchantia polymorpha produce specialized asexual propagules via gemmae cups, small goblet-shaped receptacles on dorsal thallus surface containing numerous discoid multicellular gemmae derived from epidermal floor cells. Each gemma possesses two lateral notch meristems capable of developing into new thalli after splash dispersal by raindrops over short distances. This efficient clonal vegetative reproduction supplements sexual cycle dependent on water for fertilization, advantageous in moist disturbed habitats. Mosses produce gemmae occasionally but characteristic cups typical of liverworts, hornworts lack gemmae cups, ferns reproduce via spores.