Bazzania trilobata (L.) A. Gray
Leafy liverwort, greater whipwort, millipede plant
Three-lobed bazzania is a common liverwort, found in humid woodlands, on rocks, ground, logs, or tree trunks.
Identification: Liveworts, like mosses, remain very small, because they lack vascular systems to move water and nutrients. In addition to limiting their size, this makes them dependent on humid environments. In this case small is less than 1″ (2.5 cm) tall, forming irregular mounds up to 4″ (10 cm) across. By liverwort standards, the plants making up this species are large. Individual plants resemble shiny green three-headed millipedes—millipede weed is one of its common names. Individual leaves are about ⅛″ (3 mm) in size. They have three short downward-pointing teeth, normally out of view, so the tops look smooth.
Habitats: Humid temperate forests such as woodland ravines or foggy coastal areas.
Medical: Under investiagation for its antifungal and other properties.
Online References:
10/10/2021 · 88 Wilderness Lane, Norway, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
4/23/2015 · Willard Brook State Park, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
8/9/2012 · Big Tree Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (13 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/28/2020 · Jack’s and Litchfield Trails, Chase Reserve, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 8.7 cm) 
9/7/2020 · Calderwood Trails, Freeport, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain 
9/18/2016 · Barred Island Preserve, Deer Isle, Maine 
10/6/2011 · Pack Monadnock, 2200', Peterborough, New Hampshire · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/9/2012 · Big Tree Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/14/2015 · Roost Trail, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
8/9/2012 · Big Tree Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain 
10/16/2013 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm) 
10/10/2021 · 88 Wilderness Lane, Norway, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.5 cm) 
8/15/2015 · Moose Cave, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine · ≈ 6 × 5″ (14 × 12 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/5/2023 · Oven’s Mouth Preserve, West Preserve, Boothbay, Maine 
8/15/2015 · Moose Cave, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (47 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/28/2020 · Jack’s and Litchfield Trails, Chase Reserve, Brunswick, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (8.7 × 13 cm) 
4/24/2016 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, New Hampshire 
10/6/2011 · Pack Monadnock, 2200', Peterborough, New Hampshire · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain 
9/21/2023 · Borestone Mountain, Elliotsville, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Division | Hepatophyta | Liverworts: simple, non-vascular plants |
| Subdivision | Hepaticae | Thallose and leafy liverworts |
| Class | Hepatopsida | Liverworts with prostrate form, extending horizontally, with leaflike form |
| Subclass | Jungermanniae | Hepatic mosses, named for botanist Ludwig Jungermann |
| Order | Jungermanniales | Liverworts with thin leaf-like flags on each side of the stem; other liveworts lack evidence of leaves |
| Family | Lepidoziaceae | A family of mostly tropical liverworts, unsegmented, with unfolded leaves |
| Genus | Bazzania | In honour of Matteo Bazzani (1674-1749), an Italian botanist and professor of Anatomy from the University of Bologna |
| Species | trilobata | Three-lobed, in this case for the Y-shaped plants |
Bazzania trilobata description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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