Asterella is a genus of thallose liverworts in the family Aytoniaceae, order Marchantiales, belonging to the class Marchantiopsida (complex thalloid liverworts) within the phylum Marchantiophyta. Species in the genus are commonly known as starworts, a name that reflects the star-like arrangement of their reproductive structures.
Like other members of Aytoniaceae, Asterella plants form flat, ribbon-like thalli that grow prostrate on moist substrates such as soil, rocks, and garden walls. The genus is distributed broadly across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, with representatives found in Australasia, western North America, and beyond.
Notable members of the genus include Asterella californica (California asterella), Asterella lindenbergiana (Lindenberg's asterella), Asterella australis, and Asterella drummondii.
Taxonomy Notes
Asterella belongs to the family Aytoniaceae within the order Marchantiales (class Marchantiopsida, phylum Marchantiophyta). It is one of several complex thalloid liverwort genera in this family, which also includes genera such as Mannia and Reboulia.
Distribution
Asterella species are distributed across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, with species recorded from Australasia (including A. australis and A. drummondii), western North America (A. californica), and Europe and Asia.
