Liverworts, classified under the phylum Bryophyta, are small, non-vascular plants generally found in moist and shady environments including stream banks, marshes, and tree barks. Their body structure is typically thalloid, which means they lack true stems and leaves but can have leaf-like structures. Certain liverworts develop specialized asexual reproductive structures called gemmae within gemma cups, allowing them to propagate vegetatively. During sexual reproduction, male and female sex organs can be found on separate or combined thalli. The resulting sporophyte, composed of a foot, seta, and capsule, emerges from the fertilized zygote formed when male and female gametes fuse together. This sporophyte remains dependent on the gametophyte for sustenance, as it does not engage in photosynthesis. Once mature, the sporophyte releases spores that can germinate to form new gametophytes, perpetuating the life cycle.