Cyathophorum bulbosum was first described by Johann Hedwig, a German botanist in 1801 in the publication ‘Species Muscorum Frondosorum’.

They also have a smaller, rounder row of leaves on the underside, however this can also trick some people into thinking it is a leafy liverwort.

Upon closer inspection of the leaves with a hand lens, there will be a short costa (mid vein nerve), which immediately rules out liverworts.

[2][3][4] Cyathophorum bulbosum is dioicous, meaning that male and females are separate ‘plants’.The life cycle is dominated by the gametophyte stage.

It prefers a moist and shaded site, generally close to streams or continuous water sources.