Liverworts are closely related to mosses, but can usually be recognized by their larger flattened leaves that grow in two rows. Mosses typically have small leaves arranged in a whorl around a short stem. Mosses and liverworts contain photosynthetic pigments and, like more advanced plants, produce their own food from sunlight. These non-vascular plants (bryophytes) lack well developed water conducting tissue and tend to be most abundant in moist areas, such as the splash zones of a waterfalls, or in the higher elevation forests that are frequently enveloped in fog. Mosses and liverworts occur in a variety of habitats throughout Shenandoah National Park. Haircap Moss (Polytrichum sp.) with fruiting bodies.
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