Archive | Bryophyta

1. Occurrence: Bryophytes are mostly semi-terrestrial; grow in moist and shady places. They form green mats on damp soil, rocks, walls and tree trunks, especially during rainy season. Some are aquatic (e.g. Riella, Riccia fluitans), a few grow as epiphytes (e.g., Porella, Dendroceros) and some known to be saprophytes (e.g., Buxbaumia aphylla, a moss; Cryptothallus mirabilis, a liverwort). 2. Life [...]

The division Bryophyta (Gr. bryon=moss) includes over 25000 species of non-vascular embryophytes such as mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Bryophytes are small plants (2cm to 60cm) that grow in moist shady places. They don't attain great heights because of absence of roots, vascular tissues, mechanical tissues and cuticle. They are terrestrial but require external water to complete their life cycle. Hence, [...]