1. It is a gametophytic (haploid) plant.
2. Its body is thalloid i.e. the body cannot be divided into roots, stems and leaves.
3. Its thallus is green, recumbent, hemispherical and flattened. Dr. Siddique Publications
4. The thallus is bifurcated and each branch has a groove at the head.
5. The lower surface of the thallus consists of unicellular smooth and irregular rhizoids and multicellular scales.
6. The upper part of the thallus is green and capable of photosynthesis and the lower part is colorless and storage zone.
7. The accumulation zone is colorless, composed of parenchyma cells and without air chambers.
8. The photosynthetic zone consists of air chambers and the chambers are directly exposed to the air. Dr. Siddique Publications
9. They are homosporous. ie produce identical spores.
10. Spores are released as a result of decay of the thallus.
11. The female genitalia is an archegonium and is fluted or pitcher-shaped in appearance.
12. The stamens are the antheridium and appear pear-shaped, round, oval or cylindrical.
13. The sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte.
14. They reproduce asexually and sexually.
