Habitat
Riccardia multifida lives in open areas on rotten logs, moist rocks, damp soil, swamps and peatlands.
Gametophyte
Overall structure:
This monoicous liverwort is usually a yellowish-green or dark green and the thalli form short turfs or mats. Furthermore, the branching of the thalli is typically pinnate.
Thallus:
The multistratose and fleshy thallus of R. multifida is nearly the same thickness all the way across and as previously mentioned the branching is complex and pinnate.
Rhizoids:
This species does not have rhizoids.
Male Gametophyte:
The male branches of this species are usually short. The antheridial chambers are enclosed in two rows of cells with only one antheridium per chamber.
Female Gametophyte:
On the female branches, the sporophyte is enclosed in an elongate thallus-calyptra structure.
Asexual Reproduction
Gemmae:
Asexual reproduction is achieved via the production of very small gemmae, which emerge from the tips of the lobs.
Sporophyte
Overall structure:
The sporangium of this species is elongate, and once it opens, tufts of elaters can be seen at the tips of the four lines of dehiscence.