BRYOPHYTES

A.Liverworts, Hornworts, and Mosses

B. Generally lack vascular tissue

1. No true roots, stems or leaves but functionally similar structures
2. Some mosses do have rudimentary form of xylem and phloem

C. Small less than 20 cm

D.Gametophyte dominates life cycle and is free living

1. Often mycorrhizal
2. Usually perennial
3. Multicellular gametangia surrounded by protective, sterile sheath
cells.
a) Antheridia produce biflagellated sperm
b) Archegonia produce a single egg

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 E. Sporophyte is short lived and dependent on gametophyte
1. Grows out of archegonia
2. Produces a terminal sporangium
3. Spores have cutinized coat
4. Spores dispersed by wind

F. Bryophytes need water for sexual reproduction (Like amphibians)

DIVERSITY OF BRYOPHYTES

I. MOSSES

A.Features

1. Gametophytes
a) Radially symmetrical
b) “leaves” usually with a midrib
c) Leaves one cell thick thus no mesophyll, no stomata, no
petiole
d) Rhizoids are multicellular
e) Most are unisexual
f) Archegonia form on end of shoot and have one egg
g) Antheridia found on terminal shoots, produce many flagellated
sperm
h) Some species actually have conducting tissues

2. Sporophytes
a) Begins with formation of zygote
b) Mature sporophyte has three parts
(1) Foot - absorbs water, minerals, and food
(2) Seta - raises the capsule
(3) Capsule - sporangium may have stomata
c) Haploid spores grow into gametophyte

3. See life cycle on page 667.

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II. LIVERWORTS (Marchantia is really atypical)

A.Features
1. Rhizoids are unicellular
2. Gemetophytes usually bilaterally symmetrical
3. Lack a midrib
4. Have pore on upper surface of thallose
5. Sporangia are unstalked
6. Asexual reproduction via gemmae
7. Many are unisexual
a) Archegonia form on underside of umbrella-shaped structures
called archegoniophors
b) Antheridia form on upper surface of disk-shaped cap called
antheridiophores

8. See life cycle on page 675