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Bryophyta - 1

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Diversity = Extensive

PolytRainDrop240.jpg (19196 bytes)
Polytrichum Capsules in the Rain

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Polytrichum Gametophores
Classes of Interest
Sphagnopsida
("peat" mosses)
Bryopsida
"True Mosses"
Genera = 800

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Pioneer Moss on Bare Soil. This is a Prostrate form.

 

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Epiphytic Moss. This is a complex form with "stem/leaf" organization.
Species = 10,000
Habitats Arctic->Tropical
Terrestrial
Epiphytic
Semi-Aquatic to Aquatic
Mosses can have a significant ecological impact in several environments like the arctic Tundra. They can also be very abundant as a ground cover in shaded environments. The latter is illustrated in the photo of Thuidium sp. to your right. Thuidium also has a complex organization.

ThuidiumOverallComposite.jpg (159252 bytes)
Thuidium sp.

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