Bryophyta

The idea

Bryophytes such as mosses have a more differentiated body than thallophytes, with root-like rhizoids and simple stem- and leaf-like structures, but need water for reproduction, so they are the amphibians of the plant kingdom.

Green mats on a wall

In the monsoon, green mats of moss cover damp rocks and old walls.

Why do you think mosses grow best in moist, shady places?

• They need water for reproduction
• They need no water at all
• They need strong sunlight to bloom

The bryophyte body

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Still tied to water

Bryophytes show how plants began to move onto land, but they still depend on moisture. Their body has more parts than a thallus, but it is still simple.

Bryophytes such as mosses have a more differentiated body than thallophytes, with root-like rhizoids and simple stem- and leaf-like structures, but need water for reproduction, so they are the amphibians of the plant kingdom.

Notes

Bryophytes (mosses) have rhizoids and a more differentiated body, but need water for reproduction, so they are the amphibians of the plant kingdom.

Check yourself

What are the root-like structures of bryophytes called?

Why are bryophytes called the amphibians of the plant kingdom?

Which is an example of a bryophyte?

Compared with thallophytes, the body of bryophytes is ...

• Thallus. A thallus is the whole simple body of a thallophyte.
• Mycelium. A mycelium is the network of filaments in a fungus.
• Rhizoids — correct. Yes!
• They need water for reproduction — correct. Yes!
• They have a backbone. Bryophytes are plants and have no backbone.
• They live partly on cones. Cones belong to gymnosperms.
• Pine. Pines are gymnosperms.
• Moss — correct. Yes!
• Spirogyra. Spirogyra is an example of a thallophyte.
• less differentiated. Thallophytes have the simpler, undifferentiated body.
• exactly the same. Bryophytes have rhizoids and simple stem- and leaf-like structures, which thallophytes do not.
• more differentiated — correct. Yes!