Phylum Bryophyta

The Bryophytes include the mosses and their close relatives. They are widely diverse and grow in a variety of place.

1) Life cycle shows alternation of generation between haploid, gamete-producing, gametophyte and a more prominent phase, the sporophytes, the diploid spore producing phase.

2) The gametophyte is without vascular tissue but is differentiated into stem and leaves; rhizoids are filamentous and used as anchorage.

3) Sporophyte is attached to gametophyte and derives nourishment from it. The most important feature of sporophyte is spore capsule (sporangium) which is carried at the end of a slender stalk above the gametophyte.