Mosses
August 11, 2015
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Mat-forming, mostly perennial spore-producing plants.
Moss on a soil surface.
General description
Low-growing plants with very small foliage that form dense clumps in shady, moist places. Clumps rang from dime-sized to several feet across. Some upright growth is possible, but plants usually reach only 0.25 to 1 inch in height. Plants have root-like rhizoids, which are not true roots but have similar functions. New plants form by vegetative reproduction and by spores released from capsules at the ends of leafless stalks. No true flowers or fruit are produced.
Moss capsules (left). Close-up of moss capsules (right).
Leaves
Densely and spirally arranged leaves are very small, 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and awl-shaped. They lack petioles.
Close-up of moss foliage.
Stems
Slender, hair-like and highly branching.
Reproduction
Vegetatively and by spores.
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