Hatcher’s leafy wort (Barbilophozia hatcheri) is a common leafy liverwort in British Columbia. It is similar to common leafy liverwort (Barbilophozia lycopodioides) and both are often found growing together.

Both species have large four-lobed leaves arranged in two rows along the stem. Most other liverworts have two-lobed or unlobed leaves and are generally smaller in size.

The lower side of the stems are covered in small white filamentous structures called rhizoids which help to anchor the liverwort to the substrate. They also have a single row of small bilobed leaves that line the underside of the stem.

Mountain leafy liverwort is generally larger in size and tends to occupy slightly moister microsites than Hatcher’s leafy wort. But the main distinguishing feature that separates these two species is that Hatcher’s leafy wort almost always have powdery red shoot tips.

The red powder are two-celled angular structures called gemmae that are produced along the edges of leaves. These are asexual reproductive structures that can germinate and produce a new plant.  This species of liverwort is often found in forested areas at the bases of tree trunks or on well-decayed wood or sometimes on shaded boulders and rock outcrops. It usually occupies drier microsites than common leafy liverwort so that the latter species is found at the base of tree trunks whereas Hatcher’s leafy wort is found farther up the trunk on drier microsites.