20. Achrophyllum dentatum, sectional view - Brood bodies consist of short filaments that project above the leaf surface; these break off and form new plants.
21. Philonotis tenuis, detached brood body - The brood body of this moss is more complex. It consists of a small shoot with leaves. These are formed close to the stem tip and are easily broken off when touched.
22. Bryum sauteri - Brood bodies in some mosses are formed as small tubers on rhizoids. Each is capable of giving rise to a new plant when detached.
39. l.s of a perigonium Perigonial bract Cigar shaped antheridium Paraphyses This is the tip of an antheridium. The swollen cells at the apex swell and separate when the sperms cells are mature and the antheridia are wetted. swollen cells at the apex
42. In many mosses the leaves around the male stem tip that encircle the antheridia form a 'splash cup'. Sperm are released into rainwater or condensation that collects within the cup and are then splashed out when rain drops strike the water. In this way the sperm are carried to the archegonia on nearby plants . Bryum billardierei - A male stem tip with a splash cup containing numerous antheridia
45. Visible antheridia of Polytrichum on splash cups Antherozoids (sperm equivalent) are produced in tiny sacs, called antheridia. On their release from the antheridia, the antherozoids must then swim through surface water to fertilize neighbouring egg cell The habit shot Longitudinal section through a splash cup.
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50. During embryo elongation archegonium undergoes several changes…. Ptychomnion aciculare - Fertilized archegonia enlarge to form red , pencil-like structures. The fine thread-like structure at the tip is the neck region of the original archegonium Ptychomnion aciculare - Continuing growth of the embryo tears open the archegonium to expose a short red stalk (seta ). The seta elongates carrying the top half of the archegonium (calyptra) upward. A capsule with spores develops at the tip of the seta.
54. Habit shot of the low-growing Sphagnum moss showing reproductive heads with capsules raised above the mat by pseudopodia . Some capsules are round and not yet exploded, and some have recently exploded (cylindrical).
65. Ptychomitrium polyphyllum showing the calyptra on the left capsule and the exposed peristome on the right
66. The peristome is different in morphology across species, and is used as a classification tool. In all species, however, it opens and closes in response to changes in humidity Moss capsule cross section
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70. Curled seta So short seta (reduced) Astomum muhlenbergianum
72. Capsules of Pleurophascum grandiglobum Tayloria callophylla - capsule erect Capsules of Entosthodon apophysata Tayloria gunnii
73. Immersed capsules Physcomitrium pyriforme, capsule shaped like a child’s toy top The capsules elevated slightly above the linear leaves, have a broadly tapered neck that contributes to an unusual overall shape reminiscent of a weather balloon
74. Spore capsules of the moss Funaria hygrometrica . The green capsules contain immature spores and the brown capsules contain mature spores. Funaria with a long seta and an inclined capsule.
76. T . Hypnum , a recurved capsule. G.polytrichum large capsules are somewhat angular on their sides H. Diphyscium has a very short seta so that the capsules lies surrounded by the perichaetial "leaves".
77. Variations of Calyptra The sporangium increases in size as the spores within develop. The archegonial covering known as the calyptra also enlarges and varies in size , longevity and shape , providing a characteristic useful in distinguishing different mosses from one another. Psilopilum crispulum - As the capsule (green ) enlarges, the covering calyptra (red) splits open to expose the lid at the top of the capsule.
78. Dawsonia superba - The calyptra of this moss is cap-shaped (conical) and has a dense covering of woolly hairs Macromitrium longipes - The calyptra is conical and pleated, forming a hood over the capsule beneath.
79. Hypopterygium filiculaeforme - The pointed, tapering calyptra are in the process of being shed from the two capsules to the right.