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Bryophyta

Bryophytes are the mosses, liverworts and hornworts. These terrestrial plants lack vascular structures (xylem and phloem) and generally grow in mats on the ground. Although they appear undifferentiated, if you look closely you will see leaves, stalks, and sporophytes, or capsules used in reproduction.

These primative, non-vascular plants prefer cool, moist locations, but don't necessarily think they can really help you find the north side of a tree at all times! In an open woods, one with less shade, the north side of a tree really will have thicker moss covereage, because the north side of the tree is cooler and moister due to the shade created by the tree trunk. But, in a forest with heavy canopy cover, and hence more shade, and more uniform light conditions, the moss is likely to grow just as well on all sides of the tree.

Modern taxonomists break the mosses, liverworts and hornworts into three separate phyla, but for functional purposes, it is still useful to think of them as a single grouping. As stated above, Bryophytes are generally found in moist, shaded locations in nature. Look for them in forests, and near the banks of streams and wetlands. Often in a forested or shrub wetland, the base of the shrubs will be surrounded with mosses growth just above the water line.

There are many species of bryophytes in nature. To learn more, go to this page about mosses and their allies.

We hope that the information presented here will give you a broader and deeper understanding of Nature, and therefore, of yourself. We make no attempt to be encyclopedic, but if you do find something missing, please feel free to email us at naturalhistory@neonaturalist.com to let us know what you think we should add here.