Biology 337: Divisions ( Glossary | Divisions )
Taken Spring 2005, with Dr. Plant. Information here is based primarily upon notes from class but some from external sources like the web.

Hepatophyta
Anthocerophyta
Bryophyta
Psilotophyta
Lycophyta
Sphenophyta
Pterophyta
Rhyniophyta
Zosterophyllophyta
Trimerophytophyta
Cycadophyta
Gingkophyta
Coniferophyta
age .
division-name Bryophyta
evolution .
gametophyte .
habit There are 2 common forms:
  • Cushiony

  • Feathery (usually epiphytic)

leaves no true leaves, however, have leaf-like structure (which does not contain vascular tissue).
Leaf is one cell thick and has a midrib, called costa, that is slightly thicker because it is several cell layers thick.
In spagnidae, the leaf is one cell thick but contain dead empty cells surrounded by living ones creating a hexagonal patchwork like sight under the microscope. The dead areas can absorb water, while the thickenings beside these patches are actually alive and contain chloroplasts.
life-cycle Homosporous
Bi or Unisexual.
Partial dependance of sporophyte on gametophyte.
The gametangia are produced at the tip of a stem or branch.
The antheridia appear in splash cups.
The archegonia are found at the tip of female gametophyte. The archegonia are long-necked and stalked which receive sperm through intercepting splashes.
The sporangia is at the top of a seta, connected via a foot and contained within a capsule. The entire structure is called a sporophyte and grows on top of the female gametophyte. The calyptra comes from the venter and will remain attached to the capsule.
When sporophyte is mature, at the top of the capsule is an operculum, a lid that bursts off revealing peristomal teeth. These teeth are moisture-sensitive and upon dehissing, will curl backwards revealing spores which can be disseminated into the wind.
  • bridae: After spore germination protonema is formed upon which a bud will follow that creates a "leafy" gametangeia

  • sphagnidae: GT has a distinctive bushy-leafy form.

links Cool animation
members Mosses. Of three classes: Bryidae (true mosses), Sphagnidae (peat mosses), Andreacidae (granite mosses)
rhizome .
roots .
sporangia .
stems unbranched
stomata yes
traits .
vascular-system Has rudimentary conducting tissue
  • Hadrom = found in the center, are composed of elogated, dead hydroid cells and are used to conduct water.

  • Leptom = are found surrounding Hadrom, and contain elongaged leptoids which conduct nutrients

Copyright 2005 by Aki Mimoto (amimoto+discontinu[at]gmail.com). Some rights reserved.
akiaki Hosting courtesy of Gossamer Host