CHAPTER 20: Bryophytes
In this chapter you will learn about Two phyla and three
species of Bryophytes
At the end of this chapter the successful student will be able to
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- Introduction: There are about 23,000 species of bryophytes.
- Include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.
- Habitats range in elevation from sea level up to 5,500 m or more.
- Bryophytes of all phyla often have mycorrhizal fungi associated with their
rhizoids.
- In some instances, fungi apparently are at least partially parasitic.
- Peat mosses are ecologically important in bogs.
- Luminous mosses are found in caves and in other dark, damp places.
- None have true xylem or phloem.
- Exhibit alteration of generations.
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- Leafy Liverworts
- Always have two rows of partially overlapping “leaves” whose cells contain
distinctive oil bodies.
- Often have folds and lobes.
- Archegonia and antheridia are produced in cup-like structure.
- At maturity, sporophyte capsule may be pushed out as the seta elongates.
- Germinating spore produces a protonema.
- Marchantia sporophyte
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- Mosses
- Structure, Form, and Classes
- About 15,000 species of mosses currently known.
- Divided into three classes:
- Peat Mosses
- True Mosses
- Rock Mosses
- “Leaves” of moss gametophytes have no mesophyll tissue, stomata, or veins.
- Blades are nearly always one-cell thick, and are never lobed or divided.
- Initially formed in three ranks and usually end up appearing to be
arranged in a spiral or alternately on an axis that twists as it grows.
- Click here to see the life cycle
of a moss
- Human and Ecological Relevance
- Pioneer Species of Primary Succession
- Indicators of Surface Water
- Packing Material
- Peat Mosses
- Soil Conditioner
- Poultice Material
- Fuel
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Last modified:
October 08, 2004 by
Cynthia Herbrandson 
© Copyright 1999, Kellogg Community College.
All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 20: Bryophytes
