Mosses
Mosses are part of the Phylum Byrophyta. They are well adapted to wet habitats and strive in both nutrient poor soil and low temperatures. Mosses are commonly found near swamps, bogs, and streams. Mosses are unique and do not have vascular tissues. Because they do not have vascular tissue, they also do not have true roots. Instead, they have rhizoids which are long thin cells that anchor into the ground and absorb water minerals from the soil. The reproduction of all mosses involves alternation of generations.
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Tangle Moss (Heterocladium procurrens)
- Native to North America
- Gametophyte stage is dominate
- Located near areas of high humidity & low illumination
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Ribbed Bog Moss (Aulacomnium palustre)
- Gameotophyte stage is dominate
- Found in wet coniferous forests and near swamps
- Sometimes called 'glow moss' because of its incandescent yellow color
Structures of a Moss
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- Capsule: contains either spore cells or an egg cell
- Sporophyte: thin stalk containing the capsule; used for reproduction only
- Gametophyte: the dominate stage; carries out photosynthesis
- Rhizoids: long thin cells that anchor into the ground and absorb both water and minerals from the soil
Interesting facts
- The oldest known fossils show that the first plants were similar to today's mosses
- Scientists believe that there are around 9.000 to 14,000 types of moss
- Moss was used in World War I as bandages because of its absorbing qualities