Exploring and Observing Liverworts

Never heard of a liverwort? Well you’ve likely seen hundreds of varieties, many in your own backyard. In the Exploring Liverworts virtual nature walk, biologist Tracy Hudson helps unravel the complicated but fascinating world of these ubiquitous Northwest plants that are often hiding in plain sight.

After watching the virtual nature walk, find a set of resources and activities on the page below.

Exploring Liverworts Virtual Nature Walk with Lead Naturalist Tracy Hudson

Exploring Liverworts Resource Recommendations from Tracy Hudson:

Books:

• Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Common Mosses of Western Oregon and Washington by Bruce McCune and Martin Hutten
• Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon
• Mosses and Other Bryophytes, an Illustrated Glossary, 2nd Ed by Bill and Nancy Malcom

Websites:

• iNaturalist.org is a powerful resource for information and local sighting histories and all aspects of natural history. Here’s a link to Tracy’s iNaturalist observations. If you need help with this resource, check out our iNaturalist Tutorial
• David Wagner’s fernzenmosses for the love of nature educational website
• David Wagner’s Illustrated Key to Genera of Liverworts of Oregon
• British Bryological Society Field Guide website
• UBC Bryophytes blog
• Artist Camille Charnay’s website

Recommended Exploring Liverworts Activities from Tracy Hudson:

• Follow #bryophyte on Instagram.
• Check out the Ologies podcast interview with the Robin Wall Kimmerer.