BRYOPHYTES

• Bryophytes are divided into three classes: Hepaticae  (Liverworts), Anthocerotae  (Hornworts), Musci  (Mosses).
• The plants grow In amphibious habitat like  aquatic, wet and soft ground , xeric conditions they may be  saprophytes  and can withstand without water too  for several months.
• The plants show two morphologically distinct heteromorphic generations,
• Gametophytic generation is the dominant phase of life cycle
• The gametophytes are well developed, green and autotrophic
• Bryophytes lack vascular tissues.
• Bryophytes reproduce by vegetative and sexual methods.
• Bryophytes largely multiply by means of vegetative reproduction  by fragmentation, adventitious branches, tubers, buds, gemmae, rhizoids, primary protonema, secondary protonema etc.
• Gemmae are green multicellular asexual buds develop in gemma cup. Gemma cup is located on the thallus, Gemma is detached from the parent body and germinate to form new individual.
• The sexual reproduction is Oogamous type.
• The male reproductive organ is called antheridium. Each androcyte produces a single biflagellate spermatozoid or antherozoid.
• The female reproduction organ is called archegonium. The egg is large and non-motile.
• Fertilization takes place in water.
• The zygote, immediately after fertilization, divides repeatedly without undergoing any resting period.

Importance of Bryophyta

• Bryophytes are of great ecological importance. They act as soil binders and also checks soil erosion.
• Liverworts and mosses, growing on rocks help in ecological succession.
• Marchantia polymorpha has been used to cure pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Dry Sphagnum in water is used in the treatment of hemorrhage and eye diseases.