INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

[IOS]
S B Sir
Biology Faculty Of IOS
PLANT KINGDOM
 CHAPTER 3
PLANT KINGDOM
3.1 Algae
3.2 Bryophytes
3.3 Pteridophytes
3.4 Gymnosperms
3.5 Angiosperms
In the previous chapter, we looked at the broad classification of living organisms under the system proposed by
Whittaker (1969) wherein he suggested the Five Kingdom classification viz. Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia and
Plantae. In this chapter, we will deal in detail with further classification within Kingdom Plantae popularly known
as the ‘plant kingdom’.

We must stress here that our understanding of the plant kingdom has changed over time. Fungi, and members of
the Monera and Protista having cell walls have now been excluded from Plantae though earlier classifications
placed them in the same kingdom. So, the cyanobacteria that are also referred to as blue green algae are not
‘algae’ any more. In this chapter, we will describe Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and
Angiosperms under Plantae .
Let us also look at classification within angiosperms to understand some of the concerns that influenced the
classification systems. The earliest systems of classification used only gross superficial morphological characters
such as habit, colour, number and shape of leaves, etc. They were based mainly on vegetative characters or on
the androecium structure (system given by Linnaeus). Such systems were artificial; they separated the closely
related species since they were based on a few characteristics. Also, the artificial systems gave equal weightage to
vegetative and sexual characteristics; this is not acceptable since we know that often the vegetative characters
are more easily affected by environment. As against this, natural classification systems developed, which were
based on natural affinities among the organisms and consider, not only the external features, but also internal
features, like ultrastructure, anatomy, embryology and phytochemistry. Such a classification for flowering plants
was given by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker.
At present phylogenetic classification systems based on evolutionary relationships between the various organisms
are acceptable. This assumes that organisms belonging to the same taxa have a common ancestor. We now use
information from many other sources too to help resolve difficulties in classification. These become more
important when there is no supporting fossil evidence. Numerical Taxonomy which is now easily carried out using
computers is based on all observable characteristics. Number and codes are assigned to all the characters and
the data are then processed. In this way each character is given equal importance and at the same time hundreds
of characters can be considered. Cytotaxonomy that is based on cytological information like chromosome number,
structure, behaviour and chemotaxonomy that uses the chemical constituents of the plant to resolve confusions,
are also used by taxonomists these days.
All the multicellular eukaryotic plants are placed in Kingdom-Plantae.They are autotrophic i.e. they manufacture
their food by photosynthesis.

Following plant groups are included in Kingdom-Plantae

(1) ALGAE

(2) BRYOPHYTA

(3) PTERIDOPHYTA

(4) GYMNOSPERM

(5) ANGIOSPERM
 ALGAE
Algae are chlorophyll-bearing, simple, thalloid, autotrophic and largely aquatic (both fresh water and marine)
organisms. They occur in a variety of other habitats: moist stones, soils and wood. Some of them also occur in
association with fungi (lichen) and animals (e.g., on sloth bear). The form and size of algae is highly variable,
ranging from colonial forms like Volvox and the filamentous forms like Ulothrix and Spirogyra. A few of the marine
forms such as kelps, form massive plant bodies.
l Phycology - Study of algae.
l Father of Phycology - Fristch and Father of Indian phycology - M.O.P. Iyengar

NATURE -
(1) Algae are found in both fresh and marine water. Algae are found in many forms like filamentous, colonial.
(2) Algae are surrounded by mucilagenous sheath and below the sheath cell wall is present which is made up of
cellulose and pectin but mainly made up of cellulose, galactans, mannans and mineral like calcium carbonate.
(3) On the basis of structure, algae are thalloid i.e. plant body is not differentiated into root, stem and leaves.
Tissue system is also absent in algae.
(4) On the basis of nutrition, algae are photoautotrophic. They have plastid in which photosynthetic pigments are
present. Classification of algae is mainly based on pigments. Chl-a and b carotene are universal pigment of algae.
The algae reproduce by vegetative, asexual and sexual methods. Vegetative reproduction is by fragmentation.
Each fragment develops into a thallus. Asexual reproduction is by the production of different types of spores, the
most common being the zoospores. They are flagellated (motile) and on germination gives rise to new plants.
Sexual reproduction takes place through fusion of two gametes. These gametes can be flagellated and similar in
size (as in Ulothrix) or non-flagellated (non-motile) but similar in size (as in Spirogyra). Such reproduction is called
isogamous. Fusion of two gametes dissimilar in size, as in species of Eudorina is termed as anisogamous. Fusion
between one large, nonmotile (static) female gamete and a smaller, motile male gamete is termed oogamous,
e.g., Volvox, Fucus.
 REPRODUCTION
(1) Vegetative
(2) Asexual
(3) Sexual

Vegetative reproduction :- By Fragmentation - Filaments break down into small pieces & form new filaments.

Asexual reproduction :- Zoospores are formed in favourable conditions and Aplanospores, hypnospore and
akinete etc. are formed in unfavourable condition.
Sexual reproduction :-
(i) Male sex organ is called antheridium and female is called oogonium. The sex organs of algae are unicellular &
jacketless. But exceptionally sex organs of green algae Chara (Chara - green algae - known as stone wort) are
multicellular and Jacketed.
The male sex organ of Chara is known as globule and female is known as nucule.
(ii) Plant body of algae is haploid so sexual reproduction take place through zygotic meiosis. So their life cycle is
haplontic.But exceptionally brown algae are diploid. [Ex. In Fucus life cycle in diplontic]
(iii) Algae reproduce by zygotic meiosis i.e. first division in zygote is meiosis so embryo is not formed.

Sexual repro. is of three types-

(a) Isogamous . Chlamydomonas debaryanum, Ulothrix, Ectocarpus, Spirogyra, Cladophora.
(b) Anisogamous . Chlamydomonas braunii.
(c) Oogamous . Chlamydomonas coccifera, Sargassum, Volvox, Fucus and Chara.
Note : -

(1) Chlamydomanas exhibits complete evolution of sexual reproduction.

(2) In Chlamydomonas debaryanum gametes are flagellated and similar in size. (Isogamy)
(3) In Chlamydomonas braunii gametes are motile and dissimilar in size. (Anisogamy)
(4) Most of the species of Chlamydomonas show isogamy.
(5) In Spirogyra gametes are non flagellated (non motile) and similar in size (isogamy)
(6) In Cladophora, green algae isogametes are biflagellated. (Isogamy)
(7) In Eudorina (Green algae) fusion between two gametes disimilar in size (Anisogamy)
Algae are useful to man in a variety of ways. At least a half of the total carbon dioxide fixation on earth is carried
out by algae through photosynthesis. Being photosynthetic they increase the level of dissolved oxygen in their
immediate environment. They are of paramount importance as primary producers of energy-rich compounds
which form the basis of the food cycles of all aquatic animals. Many species of Porphyra, Laminaria and
Sargassum are among the 70 species of marine algae used as food. Certain marine brown and red algae produce
large amounts of hydrocolloids (water holding substances), e.g., algin (brown algae) and carrageen (red algae)
which are used commercially. Agar, one of the commercial products obtained from Gelidium and Gracilaria are
used to grow microbes and in preparations of ice-creams and jellies. Chlorella a unicellular alga rich in proteins is
used as food supplement even by space travellers.
The three types of the biological life cycle are haplontic, diplontic and haplodiplontic life cycle. The brown algae Fucus shows a
diplontic life cycle. The haplontic life cycle is seen in most green algae. Some algae such as Ulva, Polysiphonia, Ectocarpus, Kelps
have a haplodiplontic life cycle.
The classification of algae is mainly based on the photosynthetic pigments. In addition to this, cell wall
composition and stored food are also the base of classification.

Algae is divided into following classes-

(1) CHLOROPHYCEAE - GREEN ALGAE

(2) PHAEOPHYCEAE - BROWN ALGAE
(3) RHODOPHYCEAE - RED ALGAE
GREEN ALGAE- VOLVOX AND ULOTHRIX
BROWN ALGAE- LAMINARIA FUCUS DICTYOTA
RED ALGAE- PORPHYRA POLYSIPHONIA
 Chlorophyceae
The members of chlorophyceae are commonly called green algae. The plant body may be unicellular, colonial or
filamentous. They are usually grass green due to the dominance of pigments chlorophyll a and b. The pigments
are localised in definite chloroplasts. The chloroplasts may be discoid, plate-like, reticulate, cup-shaped, spiral or
ribbon-shaped in different species. Most of the members have one or more storage bodies called pyrenoids
located in the chloroplasts. Pyrenoids contain protein besides starch. Some algae may store food in the form of oil
droplets. Green algae usually have a rigid cell wall made of an inner layer of cellulose and an outer layer of
pectose. Vegetative reproduction usually takes place by fragmentation or by formation of different types of
spores. Asexual reproduction is by flagellated zoospores produced in zoosporangia. The sexual reproduction
shows considerable variation in the type and formation of sex cells and it may be isogamous, anisogamous or
oogamous. Some commonly found green algae are: Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Ulothrix, Spirogyra and Chara.
CHLOROPHYCEAE[Green Algae]-
Green algae are the most advanced algae. It is believed that green algae are the ancestors of the higher plants.
Habitat : Green algae are cosmopolitan in nature.
Structure : Green algae usually have a rigid cell wall made up of an inner layer of cellulose an outer layer of pectose.
Green algae are found in many forms
(1) Unicellular :-
(i) Chlamydomonas - Motile unicellular algae. This algae moves with the help of flagella.
(ii) Chlorella - Non motile unicellular alga.
(iii) Acetabularia - It is the largest unicellular plant.
Note : According to five kingdom system the algae described above should be placed in Protista but because
their life cycle is similar to green algae, they are studied in Plantae.
(2) Colonial - Some green algae are found in colonies. They form colony of cells. The number of cells in a colony
is fixed. Colony with fixed number of cells called coenobium. eg. Volvox - Motile colony
(3) Multicellular filamentous - Mostly the green algae are multicellular and filamentous. eg. Ulothrix, Spirogyra
(4) Multicellular thalloid or Parenchymatous - Some algae are multicellular in length & width. eg. Ulva
Photosynthetic pigments :-
Chlorophyll - Chl 'a' and Chl ‘b’ / Carotene - b carotene / Xanthophyll - Luteaxanthin and Violoxanthin - Yellow coloured.

Stored food- Most of the members of green algae have starch as stored food and some have oil droplets also.

Asexual reproduction- Zoospores are formed in favourable condition and aplanospores, hypnospores and akinetes are formed
in unfavourable condition.
Sexual reproduction- Sexual reproduction may be isogamous, anisogamous or oogamous.

Notes :-
1. On the basis of pigments (Chl 'a', Chl 'b', Carotenoids), stored food (starch) & cell wall (made up of cellulose and pectose),
green algae are considered similar to higher plants.
2. One or more pyrenoids are also present in chloroplast as storage bodies. Pyrenoids contain protein besides starch.

Economic Importance :-
(1) Food - Chlorella is used as food, Chlorella has large amount of protein.
(2) Antibiotics - Chlorellin antibiotic is obtained from Chlorella.
(3) Space research - In space, Chlorella is used as a source of food and O2 by space travellers
(4) Parasitic algae - Cephaleuros is present parasitically in the leaves of tea plant and causes 'red rust' disease.
 Phaeophyceae
The members of phaeophyceae or brown algae are found primarily in marine habitats. They show great variation
in size and form. They range from simple branched, filamentous forms (Ectocarpus) to profusely branched forms as
represented by kelps, which may reach a height of 100 metres. They possess chlorophyll a, c, carotenoids and
xanthophylls. They vary in colour from olive green to various shades of brown depending upon the amount of the
xanthophyll pigment, fucoxanthin present in them. Food is stored as complex carbohydrates, which may be in the
form of laminarin or mannitol. The vegetative cells have a cellulosic wall usually covered on the outside by a
gelatinous coating of algin. The protoplast contains, in addition to plastids, a centrally located vacuole and nucleus.
The plant body is usually attached to the substratum by a holdfast, and has a stalk, the stipe and leaf like
photosynthetic organ – the frond. Vegetative reproduction takes place by fragmentation. Asexual reproduction in
most brown algae is by biflagellate zoospores that are pear-shaped and have two unequal laterally attached
flagella. Sexual reproduction may be isogamous, anisogamous or oogamous. Union of gametes may take place in
water or within the oogonium (oogamous species). The gametes are pyriform (pear-shaped) and bear two laterally
attached flagella. The common forms are Ectocarpus, Dictyota, Laminaria, Sargassum and Fucus..
PHAEOPHYCEAE [Brown algae or Sea weeds or Kelp]-

Habitat- Brown algae are found in marine water.

Structure-
l Brown algae are multicellular filamentous.
l Brown algae are the largest in size (upto 100 meter in length).
l Largest brown algae - Macrocystis
l The plant body is usually attached to substratum by a holdfast and has a stalk (stipe) and leaf like photosynthetic part,
frond or lamina, so brown algae are known as leafy algae. (eg. Laminaria)
l The vegetative cells have a cellulosic wall usually covered on the outside by a gelatinous coating of algin. In brown algae
protoplast contains plastid, centrally located vacuole and nucleus. e.g. Fucus, Dictyota, Ectocarpus.

[Gelatinous coating/Phycocolloids/Hydrocolloids :Gelatinous coating made up of algin has very high water holding capacity.
l Phycocolloids (Algin) protects brown-algae against dessication and shocks. Phycocolloids are used in ice-cream as
thickening agent. Algin used for dentury measurement.
l Algin used in the manufacturing of soap, ice-cream, polish, cream and plastic.]
Pigments :-
Chlorophyll - Chl 'a' , Chl ‘c’ / Carotene - Only b carotene / Xanthophylls - Mainly Fucoxanthin.
Note : The amount of Fucoxanthin is more in brown algae due to which these algae are brown in colour.
(Xanthophylls are mostly yellow but fucoxanthin is brown)

Stored food :-
Laminarin and mannitol - both are derivatives of carbohydrates.

Asexual reproduction :- By Zoospores.

Sexual reproduction :- Sex reproduction in brown algae may be isogamous, anisogamous or oogamons.
Note :-
(1) Zoospores and gametes are pear shaped and have two unequal laterally attahced flagella.
(2) Life cycle of Ectocarpus and kelps are diplohaplontic, life cycle of Fucus is diplontic.

Examples :-
Sargassum - used as a food
Laminaria -
(1) used as a food
(2) Iodine and Bromine - Obtained from this algae.
 Rhodophyceae
The members of rhodophyceae are commonly called red algae because of the predominance of the red pigment,
r-phycoerythrin in their body. Majority of the red algae are marine with greater concentrations found in the
warmer areas. They occur in both well-lighted regions close to the surface of water and also at great depths in
oceans where relatively little light penetrates. The red thalli of most of the red algae are multicellular. Some of
them have complex body organisation. The food is stored as floridean starch which is very similar to amylopectin
and glycogen in structure. The red algae usually reproduce vegetatively by fragmentation. They reproduce
asexually by non-motile spores and sexually by non-motile gametes. Sexual reproduction is oogamous and
accompanied by complex post fertilisation developments. The common members are: Polysiphonia, Porphyra,
Gracilaria and Gelidium.
RHODOPHYCEAE [Red Algae]-

(1) Red algae are ancient (Primitive) algae. eg. Polysiphonia.

(2) There is no motile stage found in life cycle of red algae and BGA i.e. cilia & flagella are absent.

Habitat :-
Red algae mainly found in marine water with greater concentration found in the warmer areas. But exceptionally
Batrachospermum is found in fresh water (river).

Structure :-
(1) Red algae are multicellular
(2) Cell wall of red algae is complex because made up of cellulose & pectin with polysulphate esters.
(3) Some red algae may secrete and deposite calcium carbonate and appear like corals.

Pigments :-
Chlorophyll - Chl 'a' and Chl 'd'
Carotenes - b carotene
Phycobilins - R - phycoerythrin (red coloured) and R - phycocyanin (blue coloured)
(1) On the basis of pigments red algae are similar to blue green algae.
(2) Red algae is deepest algae, found in depth.
Stored Food :-
Floridean starch - floridean starch is structurally similar to glycogen and amylopectin

Asexual - Non motile spores

Sexual reproduction -
(I) Sexual reproduction is oogamous and accompanied by complex post fertilization developments.
(II) Life cycle of Polysiphonia is diplobiontic and Batrachospermum is haplobiontic.

Economic importance :-
(1) Harveyella - It is a colourless parasitic alga. It remains as parasite on other alga.
(2) Porphyra - It is an edible algae and used as a food.
(3) Gelidium and Gracilaria - Agar - Agar is a hydrocolloid (Phycocolloid) is obtained from these red algae. It is used to prepare
culture medium to grow microbes and in prepartion of ice creams and Jellies.
(4) Chondrus crispus - Carrageenin colloid is obtained from this alga. It is used as gelating agent in food industries (i.e. to make
the food item viscous)
l Capsule of medicines is also prepared from carrageenin.

Note - Porphyra, Laminaria and Sargassum algae are used as a food.

HABITAT OF SOME IMPORTANT ALGAE-

(1) Epizoic - Algae which are present on animals

eg. Cladophora (present on Mollusca shell) Cyanoderma and Trichophilus (Blue green algae) (Present on sloth bear).

(2) Endozoic - Algae which are present inside the body of animals. eg. Zoochlorella and Zooxenthellae (inside the Hydra).

(3) Parasites - Algae that live as parasite and causes diseases. eg. Cephaleuros (algae remain in the leaves of tea plant).
Cephaleuros causes red rust disease of tea.
 BRYOPHYTES

Bryophytes include the various mosses and liverworts that are found commonly growing in moist shaded areas in
the hills Bryophytes are also called amphibians of the plant kingdom because these plants can live in soil but are
dependent on water for sexual reproduction. They usually occur in damp, humid and shaded localities. They play
an important role in plant succession on bare rocks/soil.
The plant body of bryophytes is more differentiated than that of algae. It is thallus-like and prostrate or erect, and
attached to the substratum by unicellular or multicellular rhizoids. They lack true roots, stem or leaves. They may
possess root-like, leaf-like or stem-like structures. The main plant body of the bryophyte is haploid. It produces
gametes, hence is called a gametophyte. The sex organs in bryophytes are multicellular. The male sex organ is
called antheridium. They produce biflagellate antherozoids. The female sex organ called archegonium is flask-
shaped and produces a single egg. The antherozoids are released into water where they come in contact with
archegonium. An antherozoid fuses with the egg to produce the zygote. Zygotes do not undergo reduction division
immediately. They produce a multicellular body called a sporophyte. The sporophyte is not free-living but
attached to the photosynthetic gametophyte and derives nourishment from it. Some cells of the sporophyte
undergo reduction division (meiosis) to produce haploid spores. These spores germinate to produce gametophyte.
 BRYOPHYTA
l The term "Bryophyta" was proposed by "Robert Braun".
l The study of Bryophytes is known as Bryology.
l Hedwig is considered to be the father of Bryology. But according to some scientist it is believed that Cavers is
the father of Bryology.
l Father of Indian Bryology is Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap.

General characteristics :-
1. Bryophytes are the first land plant. It is believed that, they originated from aquatic plant and they come on land
through water. Because some bryophytes have characters similar to aquatic plants (eg. presence of air canal).
2. Bryophytes are known as amphibians of the plant kingdom, because these plants can live in soil but are
dependent on water for fertilization.
3. Bryophytes are not considered as the successful land plants because vascular tissue is absent and they need
water for fertilization. Due to the absence of vascular tissue bryophytes can not grow very tall. The process of
water conduction in bryophytes takes place with the help of parenchyma. Parenchyma is a living tissue.
4. Roots are absent in bryophytes. Stem like and leaf like structure of bryophytes are functionally similar to the
stem and leaves of higher plants.
5. Bryophytes are sciophytes, i.e. bryophytes prefer to grow in moist (wet) and shady places.
Life cycle of Bryophytes :-
1. The main plant body of bryophyte is haploid. It produces gametes, hence is called a gametophyte.
2. Sex organs are formed on gametophyte. Sex organs are multicellular and jacketed in bryophytes. Male sex
organs are called antheridium and female sex organs are called archegonium. Archegonium is flask shaped.
3. The male gametes of bryophytes are motile. These motile male gametes are called as antherozoids.
Antherozoids are usually comma shaped and biflagellate. Female gamete is called egg.
4. In Bryophyta, fertilization is performed by zoidogamy i.e. male gamete swims into water to reache the female
gametes and fertilizes it.
5. As a result of the fertilization, a diploid zygote is formed. Zygote does not undergo reduction division (meiosis)
immediately. This zygote initiates the sporophytic generation. Sporophytic generation is a diploid stage.
6. Zygote forms embryo and then sporophyte by mitosis. The sporophyte of bryophyta is not made of root, stem
and leaves, but it is made of foot, seta and capsule, so it is known as sporogonium. Some of cells present in capsule
of sporophyte function as spore mother cells. Now meiosis takes place in spore mother cells, result of it haploid
spores are formed.
7. The germination of spores is direct or indirect. In Liverworts & Hornworts the germination of spore is direct i.e.
each spore forms a gametophyte after germination i.e. each spore forms one thallus. But the germination of
spores in Mosses is indirect. In mosses a multicellular filament is formed after the germination of spore. This
filament is known as protonema. Now buds are formed on protonema. Each bud develops and forms a
gametophyte plant. Indirect germination is best for survival. Mosses are gregarious in nature because they appear
in group.
[Note : Protonema developed from spores is called primary protonema and the protonema developed from parts
other than spores are known as secondary protonema.]
Bryophytes in general are of little economic importance but some mosses provide food for herbaceous mammals,
birds and other animals. Species of Sphagnum, a moss, provide peat that have long been used as fuel, and as
packing material for trans-shipment of living material because of their capacity to hold water. Mosses along with
lichens are the first organisms to colonise rocks and hence, are of great ecological importance. They decompose
rocks making the substrate suitable for the growth of higher plants. Since mosses form dense mats on the soil,
they reduce the impact of falling rain and prevent soil erosion. The bryophytes are divided into liverworts and
mosses.
l Sexual reproduction in bryophytes is oogamous type and life cycle is halplodiplontic type.
l In Bryophyta the sporophyte is dependent on gametophyte. This is a unique character of bryophyta.

Bryophyta is divided in to three classes-

1. Hepaticopsida
2. Anthocerotopsida
3. Bryopsida or Musci
Liverworts-
The liverworts grow usually in moist, shady habitats such as banks of streams, marshy ground, damp soil, bark of
trees and deep in the woods. The plant body of a liverwort is thalloid, e.g., Marchantia. The thallus is dorsiventral
and closely appressed to the substrate. The leafy members have tiny leaf-like appendages in two rows on the
stem-like structures. Asexual reproduction in liverworts takes place by fragmentation of thalli, or by the formation
of specialised structures called gemmae (sing. gemma). Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds, which
develop in small receptacles called gemma cups located on the thalli. The gemmae become detached from the
parent body and germinate to form new individuals. During sexual reproduction, male and female sex organs are
produced either on the same or on different thalli. The sporophyte is differentiated into a foot, seta and capsule.
After meiosis, spores are produced within the capsule. These spores germinate to form free-living gametophytes.
HEPATICOPSIDA - LIVER WORTS-
(i) Bryophytes included in this class have shape like liver (eg. Marchantia) or flat (eg. Riccia) so they are known as liverworts.
(ii) Plant body of this group is thallus like and dorsiventral. Rhizoids and scales are present on thallus.. Rhizoids are unicellular
and unbranched. Scales are multicellular.
(iii) The leafy members (eg Porella) have tiny leaf like appendages in two rows on the stem like structures.
(iv) The sporophyte of Liverworts is completely dependend on gametophyte i.e. it is dependent on gametophyte for food,
water and habitat.
(v) The sporophyte of Liverworts is made up of foot, seta and capsule. (Exception - In Riccia sporophyte is made up of only
capsule).
(vi) True Elaters are present in sporophyte of some members of liverworts. (eg. Marchantia). Elaters are hygroscopic and they
help in dispersal of spores.
Eg. of Liverworts - Riccia, Marchantia , Cryptothallus, Porella.

Note :
(1) In Bryophytes, sporophyte of Riccia is the simplest.
(2) Asexual (vegetative) reproduction in Liverworts takes place by fragmentation of thalli, or by the formation of specialised
structures called gemmae (sing. gemma). Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds, which develop in small receptacles
called gemma cups located on the thalli. The gemmae become detached from the parental body and germinate to form new
individuals. Eg. Marchantia.
(3) During sexual reproduction male and female sex organs are produced either on same (eg. Riccia) or on different thallus (Eg.
Marchantia).
ANTHOCEROTOPSIDA – HORNWORTS-
(i) The plant body of this group is also thallus like. Scales are absent but rhizoids are present on thallus. Rhizoids
are unicellular and unbranched.
(ii) The sporophyte of Hornworts is divided into foot and capsule.
(iii) The sporophyte of Hornworts is not completely dependent on its gametophyte i.e. it is partially depend
because its sporophyte is photosynthetic therefore it can manufacture its own food. So it does not depend on
gametophyte for food, it depends only for water and habitat.
(iv) In hornworts at the basal part of capsule, a special, type of meristem is present. Due to the activeness of this
meristem, the capsule grows rapidly. It grows like the horn of animals. eg. Notothylus, Anthoceros
[Note : Pseudoelaters are present in hornworts, which help in spores dispersal.]
Mosses-
The predominant stage of the life cycle of a moss is the gametophyte which consists of two stages. The first stage
is the protonema stage, which develops directly from a spore. It is a creeping, green, branched and frequently
filamentous stage. The second stage is the leafy stage, which develops from the secondary protonema as a lateral
bud. They consist of upright, slender axes bearing spirally arranged leaves. They are attached to the soil through
multicellular and branched rhizoids. This stage bears the sex organs. Vegetative reproduction in mosses is by
fragmentation and budding in the secondary protonema. In sexual reproduction, the sex organs antheridia and
archegonia are produced at the apex of the leafy shoots. After fertilisation, the zygote develops into a sporophyte,
consisting of a foot, seta and capsule. The sporophyte in mosses is more elaborate than that in liverworts. The
capsule contains spores. Spores are formed after meiosis. The mosses have an elaborate mechanism of spore
dispersal. Common examples of mosses are Funaria, Polytrichum and Sphagnum.
BRYOPSIDA OR MUSCI – MOSSES-
(i) All the Mosses are included in this class. The plant body of mosses is made up of stem like, leaf like and
rhizoids (roots like). The Rhizoids present in the plants of this class are multicellular, branched and obliquely
septate.
Note . The presence of leaf like structure in gametophyte is the unique character of Moss because in plant
kingdom any gametophyte do not have leaf like structure. They consist of upright slender axis bearing spirally
arranged leaves.
(ii) Vegetative reproduction in mosses is by fragmentation and budding in the secondary protonema.
(iii) During sexual reproduction, sex organs are produced at the apex of the leafy shoots.
(iv) The sporophyte in mosses is more elaborated (developed) than that in liverworts. The sporophyte of moss is
divided into foot, seta, capsule.
(v) The sporophyte of mosses is also partially depend like, that of Hornworts. i.e. it is photosynthetic. The moses
have an elaborate mechanism of spore disperal.
Note : Peristomial teeth are present in moss sporophyte which help in spores dispersal.