Briophyte plants: examples and characteristics

Briophyte plants: examples and characteristics

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Have you ever heard about the briophytes? You may not know what it is, it is not something that is commonly spoken in any conversation or perhaps, on the contrary, you know how to relate it to a type of plant, the briophyte plants, but do not know what it means that a plant is briรณfita.

In this ecology article, we will talk about this group of plants, we will specifically explain What are briophyte plants, with examples and their characteristicsin order that when you finish reading you know something more about the plant world, about the natural world.

What are briophite plants – definition

Broophyte plants are a group of plants that lack vascular vesselsthat is, of the “complex” ducts by which water and minerals are transported that serve as food to the plant.

They are the group of Non -vascular plants more important. Non -vascular, as we have explained in the previous paragraph, it means that they do not have complex vascular vessels or transport ducts and, therefore, cannot reach large dimensions, that is, all Briophyte plants are smallalthough they can extend in large surfaces. In addition, briรณfitas are multicellular and chlorophyll, this means:

  • Pluricellular: formed by more than one cell.
  • Chlorophyll: They contain the pigment called chlorophyll that gives it that green color and allows photosynthesis.

Usually, all briophytes have the green stems and leaves that can range from a bright green to a darker green, different shades can be seen. However, we can also appreciate briรณfitas that even reach transparency.

Briophyte plants: examples and characteristics - What are the briophyte plants - definition

CHARACTERISTICS OF BRIร“PHITAS PLANTS

In this section we will explain the environment in which the briophyte plants, their vegetative structure and the form of reproduction grow, in order to get closer to the world of non -vascular plants and that you know the Main characteristics of briophyte plants:

  • The environment in which they develop is preferably wet. In fact, this is the ideal environment for them to grow and reproduce optimally, although in some cases they can also develop in dry terrain (but it is not common). They need Wet environmentssince they do not present roots as such and the way to obtain the water and the minerals they need is absorbing, as a sponge, the water in their environment. Generally, we will find them on a rocky surface, in the trees cortex, in plant roots or in wet soils.
  • The vegetative structure From briophyte plants it is very simple, its structure is quite homogeneous, since parts such as root, stem and leaves are not differentiated, as with the rest of plants.
  • As for the reproduction form, briophyte plants can reproduce two ways.

Reproduction of briophyte plants

  • Sexual reproduction: The plant originates the male gametes that will fertilize the women’s gamete. The union of both gametes will lead to sporophyte, which will germinate in new bushes.
  • Asexual reproduction: In this form of reproduction any part of the plant can give rise to a new one. The yolks that we can find in this type of plants, when coming into contact with an adequate surface for its development, results in a plant identical to its parent.

Types of briophytes

Can Classify the briophytes In three large groups:

Mushrooms

The mosses are usually found forming dense mantles, each plant presents tiny structures with functions similar to those of the roots (fastening to the ground) and similar to that of pelillos, they are called curls.

The presence of these briophytes helps avoid the erosion of the soil in which they are found that it is generally rocky. In addition, seeing these types of briophyte plants in some area is synonymous with environmental quality.

To know these briophyte plants better, you can read this other post about mosses: what are, characteristics and examples.

Liver briophytes

Hepatic briophite plants receive this name due to the similarity that keeps their appearance with the human liver. They develop in umbrosa and fresh areas, occupy large extensions of land.

Here we explain much more about liver plants: what are, characteristics and examples.

Antoceropsids

Antocerpsids are very small plants and with a simple structure. In fact, antozyrophic briophite plants never exceed 3 cm high.

In this link you will see more details about the antholeros: what are, characteristics and examples.

Examples of briophyte plants

The briophytes are classified into three types depending on their general characteristics, characteristics that have been explained in the previous section. But for you to know them a little more, here we leave you a List of examples of briophyte plants according to their type:

  • Mushrooms: Polytrichum commune, Eriopus Remotifolius, Schistostega Pennata, Hylocomium Splendens, Climacium dendroids, Grimmia Pulvinata, Archidium Alternifolium, Eurhynchiem Oreganum, Dicranum Scoparium.
  • Hpeatic briophytes: Astendella ludwigii, carrpos monocarpus, Knophalum conicum, Mannia Rupestris, Mannia Siberica, Marchantia Polymorpha, Neohodgosonia Mirabilis, Ricciocarpus Natans.
  • Briรณfitas Antoceropsids: Adscendens Anthoceros, Anthoceros Aethyopicus, ANTIEROS AFFINIS, Anthoceros Agges, Anthoceros alpinus.

Briophyte plants: examples and characteristics - examples of briophyte plants

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Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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