The differences between mosses and liverworts are,(i) Capsule opening mechanismsIn most liverworts, when a spore capsule is ripe, it merely bursts open along four longitudinal axes; moss capsules nearly always have rather more complex opening mechanisms.(ii) Structure of rhizoidsIn liverworts, the rhizoids are nearly always composed of a single, elongated cell; in mosses the rhizoids are multicellular.(iii) Early development of the gametophyteIn mosses, following spore germination, but preceding development of the mature gametophyte plant, a juvenile stage known as a protonema forms. This is absent or much reduced in liverworts.(iv) Other differences are,(a) All mosses consist of a stem (branched or not) bearing leaf-like structures. Many liverworts do not have this type of structure.(b) Many liverworts have leaves which are deeply lobed or divided. No mosses have leaves like this.(c) All liverworts with a leafy structure have their leaves arranged in a two- or three-rowed pattern. Very few mosses have this sort of arrangement of leaves.(d) Many mosses have leaves with a thickened nerve. No liverworts have leaves with such nerves