Mushrooms are a much more varied vegetation than you can think of initially. These primitive plants are of great natural importance, since they are vital as colonizers and regulators in all types of habitats. Mushrooms are a type of briophyte plants living in abundant humidity conditions.
If you want to learn more about the different types of mosses, accompany us in this ecology article in which we talk about 8 types of mosses, their scientific names, characteristics and photos To identify them more easily.
What are mosses – definition
Mosses are a type of briophyte plantstogether with the liver and anticers. All briophytes are non -vascular plants, which means that it is a primitive type of vegetation that does not have xilems or floe through which to transport its nutrients and substances internally. Know more about briophyte plants: examples and characteristics in this other post.
Usually mosses are small size plantssince they do not have support organs that allow large structures, although mosses can be extended covering with large carpet or tapestry large surfaces, both vertical and horizontal.
They cling to surfaces with organs called curls, similar to small roots, but with the only function of providing grip. Generally, they are from I live green colorsince these are chlorophyll plants, capable of performing photosynthesis thanks to chlorophyll. They need one abundant environmental humidityso they tend to grow in humid areas or next to large mass of water, usually in the shadow.
Expand this information with this other ecology article about mosses: what are, characteristics and examples.
Types of mosses – Name list
Among all briophyte plants, only mosses cover around 70%. These, in addition to numerous, are very varied, and are also the only briophyte plants that become remarkable vegetable masses in an environment. Given its great diversity, Mushrooms are classified into 8 classes different:
- Bryopsida.
- Sphagnopsida.
- Andreaeophas.
- Polytrichopsida.
- Takakiopsida.
- Andreaeobrypsida.
- Tetraphidopsida.
- Oedipodiopsida.
Bryopsida
This is with much difference the Most abundant and representative class of mosses: 95% of them are included here. Given its large number, it is also quite varied.
Most of them are divided into acrocarpos mosses, among which are some of the drought more resistant mosses, and the pleurocarpos, of much more horizontal growth than the previous ones and that give rise to aspects similar to the grass. Some pleurocarpos are well known, such as the call Bethlehem moss.
Other bryopsida that is worth mentioning are the Buxbaumials, in which the Gametophyte, which is the predominant part in most mosses, is drastically reduced, even becoming microscopic and thus leaving in sight only the sporophyte capsule.
Some Bryopsida mosses examples are:
- Diphyscium foliosum
- Buxbaumia viridis
- Pleurochaete Squarrosa
- Pseudoscleropodium purum
Sphagnopsida
Usually called sphagmosthe members of this class are very easy to recognize mosses for their particular morphology, which reminds a lot of small or succulent plants.
They are the creators and a vital component of a single ecosystem: High Peaches. In addition, they are one of the few mosses that have come to have economic impact for the human being, since in World War I they were used for the elaboration of bandages. This was due to its enormous ability to absorb water: a spagno can absorb up to 20 times its dry weight in water.
Andreaeophas
These mosses grow in cold climatesusually on siliceous rocks. They are reddish or dark colorations, and form very small vegetation. There are about 100 types of mosses of this class and stand out for their particular capsules, with a form reminiscent of that of a Chinese lantern.
Polytrichopsida
There are around 370 mosses of this classamong which are larger mosseslike the Australian Dawsonia Superbaalmost 50 centimeters high. They are mosses of great complexity in their anatomy, with specialized cells for water and sugars. Other mosses names of this class are the Oligotrichum Hercynium and the Pogonatum urginerum.
Takakiopsida
This kind of mosses was not discovered until the nineteenth century, when it was found in the Himalayas mountains. They are species with only 4 chromosomes per cell, Very fragile and with a size by under 1 centimeter.
Andreaeobrypsida
Until 2000, this class was considered part of the Andreaeophare. However, differences between both classes were found, since The Andreaeobryopsida are dioicwhich means that female and male sexual organs are found in different plants. In addition, these mosses They have mushrooms that support the capsules.
Tetraphidopsida and oedipodiopsida
These two kinds of mosses are rare and very little numerous. In fact, the oedipodiopsida are formed exclusively by the species Oedipodium graiffithianuma moss that can be found in the coldest areas of America and Eurasia, as well as in some islands in the north of the Atlantic.
Tetraphidopsida are divided into two different genres, Tetrodontium and the Tetraphis, with only two species each. They are mosses that have a large amount of chlorophyll and are recognized for their curly bases. They are very scarce in the southern hemisphere, being practically all in the north.
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