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Bryophyta -4 |
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Growth Form |
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The individual stems are Erect. However, they
can't stand upright on their own. They get Support from adjacent plants.
Branching - There is a tight Apical Cluster of Branches called the Capitulum. Two types of Lateral Branches are produced. One is Limp (Pendulous) & acts like a wick to soak water upwards. The other is Horizontal & provides support via entanglement with adjacent branches from other stems. NO Roots or Rhizoids are produced. |
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Stem Anatomy |
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The Gametophore has a variety of Distinct Tissues which have Specialized Functions. |
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| Photosynthetic & dead Hyaline Cells form a quilt-like pattern. Hyaline cells are present in Stems & Leaves. They are rigid enough to
maintain their shape & can absorb H2O through a Pore in their Cell Wall. They retain water very well & release it
slowly.There are NO True Vascular Tissues
in the Stem or Leaves.Thick-walled Support Tissue is present
in the Stem.
The Leaves are only one cell thick! Note the clear Hyaline Cells and Living Cells that contain Chloroplasts in the images below. Sphagnum is Anisophyllous (Unequal Leaves). Leaves on the Stem are different than those on the branches. Vegetative leaves are different than leaves associated with Gametangia.
 Microscopic Image of a Sphagnum Leaf - The Green cells are .... |
Cross-section of Sphagnum Stem  Longitudinal Section of Sphagnum Stem  SEM of Sphagnum Leaves
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