Nonvascular Plants

Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts

Moss ->

Liverworts ^ Hornworts ^

Nonvascular Plants – Bryophytes

● *Exist in three classes: Mosses, hornworts, and liverworts

● * A plant that lacks specialized tissues

● *Small and low to the ground

● *All live in damp environment

● *Does not have roots, stems, or real leaves

● *Uses alternation of generation to reproduce

● *All reproduce with spores

● *ALTERNATION OF GENERATION: two phases of reproduction: first the gametophytes which leads to sporophytes

● It is a cycle and can start at any point

Mosses, Liverworts, and Hornworts Life Cycle

*Spores: small, dust-like particles that float off and grow new plants*Water is required for the process for gametes to travel

Mosses

● Grow in damp environments

● *Reproduce with spores

● *Mosses grow on soil, the bark of trees, and rocks

● *Mosses are soft and leafy: almost like carpet

Moss Continued

Liverworts● Liverworts also grow in damp environments ● *Reproduce with spores

● *Liverworts named after their liver appearing shape

Liverworts Continued

Liverworts sporophytes are either like rubbery, green flowers or bulbs on a stem

● *Hornworts are named for their long horn like structures: which is their sporophytes

● Least common non-vascular plant (less than 150 types)

● Also grow near the ground in damp environments

Hornworts

Class discussion

(points to think about)

● Why are nonvascular plants small?

● How are they unique to other plants (vs vascular plants) in structure and size?

● Why does the structure effect size?

Homework:

-Briefly describe how each of the classes of non-vascular plants are unique in appearances.

-Fill in the life cycle (alternation of generation) including gametophyte, sporophyte, spores, gametes, and zygote.

Follow up