PAPER: BOT-HC-2026
❖ Notes on Bryophytes : Adaptation to land habit,Range
of thallus organization, ecological and economical
importance.
❖ Notes prepared by : Nazneen Ahmed
❖ UNIT II: BRYOPHYTES
❖ ADAPTATIONS TO LAND HABIT:
Bryophytes are first land plants. Evidences support that Bryophytes are
evolved from Algae. During the process of origin they developed to certain
adaptations to land habit.
These are:
1. Formation of a compact multi cellular plant body which helped in the
conservation of water by reducing cell surface area exposed to dry land
condition.
a. Presence of cuticle further reduces loss of water by evaporation. i.e,
Development of compact plant body covered with epidermis.
2. Development of special organs e.g., rhizoids for attachment and
absorption of water.
3. Development of photosynthetic tissues e.g., airpores : into special
chambers for the absorption of carbon dioxide without losing much water
and exposure to light. i.e, Absorption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere
for photosynthesis.
4. Gametes are produced and protected by the special multi cellular
organs (antheridia and archegonia).
5. Protection of reproductive cells from drying and mechanical injury
i.e., jacketed sex organs. Heterogamy (production of two types of
gametes) is evolved, forming non motile egg containing stored food and
motile sperms.
6. Multi-cellular embryo is formed which is retained and protected inside
the female reproductive body during its development, i.e, Retention of
zygote within the archegonium.
7. Alternation of spore-producing generation (sporophyte) with gamete
producing generation gametophyte enabled the plant to produce and test
the best genetic combinations for adapting to the versatile terrestrial
conditions.
8. Production of large number of thick walled spores.
9. Dissemination of spores by wind.
❖ RANGE OF THALLUS ORGANIZATION
Thallus organisation (Gametophyte) in bryophytes
• Thallus organisation in bryophytes shows various distinct lines such as
(1)Thalloid liverworts
(2)Hornworts
(3) Mosses
(1) Thalloid liverworts: 50 genera, 15% of total liverworts, range from
simple or undifferentiated to complex or differentiated types.
Class: Hepaticopsida
(a) Simple undifferentiated thallus
Characters:
• Simple thallus organization.
• Plant body is thin, dorsiventrally flattened and prostrate.
• Thallus has wavy margins and dichotomously branched.
• Presence of simple, unicellular rhizoids.
• Internal structure is mostly simple e.g., Pellia and some shows little
tissue differentiation e.g., Porellia.
• Reproduction takes place vegetatively through fragmentation.
• Plant is monoecious
• Sexual reproduction is advanced oogamous type.
• Sporophyte is differentiated into foot, seta and capsule.
• Examples- Pellia , Porellia.
(b) Complex and differentiated thallus
Characters:
• Complex thallus organization.
• Plant body is flat, dorsiventral, prostrate, ribbon –like and more
fleshy.
• Plants are dichotomously branched and rosette form.
• Presence of multicellular hairs or scales.
• Presence of 2 types of rhizoids viz., smooth walled and tuberculate or
pegged rhizoids.
• Complex internal differentiation of tissue
e.g., Differentiation into chlorophyll rich upper assimilatory
(photosynthetic) region and colourless lower storage region . Air
chambers are present on the upper region.
• Vegetative reproduction takes place by adventitious branches and
gemma like bodies called gemma cups (distinctive featureof
Marchantia).
• Rarely monoecious, most of the species are dioecious.
• Elaters are associated with spore dispersal.
• Examples : Riccia , Marchantia.
(2) Hornworts
Class: Anthocerotopsida
Characters:
• Plant body is small dorsiventral and prostrate.
• Thallus is sub- orbicular or variously lobed.
• Dorsal surface of the thallus is smooth or velvety , scales and
mucilage hairs are absent.
• Internal tissue differentiation is absent. No air chambers and air pores
are present.
• Vegetative reproduction takes place by the growth of apical region
and progressive death of the older parts.
• Species may be monoecious or dioecious.
• The defining characteristic of the hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) is the
narrow, pipe-like sporophyte.
• Sporophyte consists of foot and capsule made up of sterile tissue
known as columella. Seta is absent.
• Dispersal of spores by air current. Elaters absent.
• Examples: Anthoceros , Notothylas
(3) Mosses
Class : Bryopsida (Musci)
Characters:
• Gametophyte shows two distinct stages of development – (i) simple
protonema and (ii) leafy gametophores.
• Most developed gametophytes: well defined leaves, axis, rhizoids.
• Stem chlorophyllous when young.
• Leaves,unicostate, sessile, spirally arranged on the stem.
• Moss gametophore leaves and parichaetial leaves (associated with
archegonia), perigonial leaves (antheridia).
• Well differentiated internal structure.
• Vegetative reproduction by lateral branches , bud like gemmae or
secondary protonema.
• Sexual reproduction is advanced oogamous type.
• Sporophyte structure vary greatly in different species.
e.g., In Sphagnum bulbous foot , small spherical capsule and
suppressed seta is present.
In Polytrichum conical foot a long seta and an angular capsule
alongwith various other structures such as calyptras, jacket, columella
, operculum and peristome teeth are present.
• Examples: Sphagnum , Polytrichum, Funaria, Pogonatum.
❖ UNIT III: TYPE STUDIES : BRYOPHYTES
❖ Ecological and Economic importance of Bryophytes:
1. Protection from soil erosion: Bryophytes, especially mosses, form dense
mats over the soil and prevent soil erosion by running water.
2. Soil formation: Mosses are an important link in plant succession on rocky
areas. They take part in binding soil in rock crevices formed by lichens.
Growth of Sphagnum ultimately fills ponds and lakes with soil.
3. Water retention: Sphagnum can retain 18-26 times more water than its
weight. Hence, used by gardeners to protect desiccation of the seedling
during transportation and used as nursery beds.
4. Peat: It is a dark spongy fossilized matter of Sphagnum. Peat is dried and
cut as cakes for use as fuel. Peat used as good manure. It overcomes soil
alkalinity and increases its water retention as well as aeration. On distillation
and fermentation yield many chemicals.
5.Ecological indicators:
Liverworts and mosses have been found to be good indicators of
environmental conditions. Terrestrial bryophytes are used as one of the
characterizing plants in classifying forest types.
Few aquatic mosses can analyze the presence of nutrients and inorganic salts
in water.Thus, indicates the pH of water.
Polytrichum sp can detect the acidity of soil.
6. As food: Mosses are good source of animal food in rocky and snow-clad
areas.
7. Medicinal uses:
(a) Decoction of Polytrichum commune is used to remove kidney and gall
bladder stones.
(b) Decoction prepared by boiling Sphagnum in water for treatment of eye
diseases.
(c) Marchantia polymorpha has been used to cure pulmonary tuberculosis.
(d) Many of them has antibiotic properties.
8. Other uses:
(a) Bryophytes are used as packing material for fragile goods, glass wares
etc.
(b) Some bryophytes act as indicator plants. For example, Tortell tortusa
grow well on soil rich in lime.
References:
(i) Studies in bBotany Vol. I
(ii) S.Chand ., Botany for Degree Students Bryophytes
(iii) www.google.com
