Bryophyta

Bryophyta is a division of non-vascular land plants traditionally consisting of mosses. In modern classifications, mosses are placed in Bryophyta, while liverworts and hornworts are assigned to separate phyla, Marchantiophyta and Anthocerotophyta. Bryophytes are among the earliest land plants and lack true vascular tissue.

Bryophytes are small, ground-hugging plants with simple morphology. They lack true vascular tissue and rely on diffusion for water and nutrients. They possess rhizoids instead of roots, and their bodies are dominated by the haploid gametophyte generation.

Reproduction occurs via spores produced in a sporangium on the sporophyte, which is typically dependent on the gametophyte. Fertilization requires free water for motile sperm to reach archegonia; after fertilization, spores disperse to produce new gametophytes.

Bryophytes inhabit moist, shaded environments but can occur in varied microhabitats, from forests to tundra. They contribute to soil formation, moisture retention, and nutrient cycling and play roles as pioneer species in disturbed sites; peat mosses form extensive peatlands.

Mosses are the best-known bryophytes and are divided into several classes, with Bryopsida (true mosses) being the largest. Other groups include Andreaeopsida and Sphagnopsida. Liverworts and hornworts are separate phyla in modern schemes.

Human uses include horticulture and the historical use of peat; their ecological sensitivity makes them indicators of environmental health, while conserving their habitats supports biodiversity in temperate and boreal ecosystems.