Types and names of mosses with photo and description

Not everyone knows what mosses are (the name of a species, genus). At best, the familiar course of kukushkin flax or sphagnum is recalled from the school biology course. In reality, however, a rather large group of these plants stands completely apart from other existing ones. No connections or transitional, intermediate forms were found. In everyday life, very often confuse not only the names of mosses and lichens, but also the plants themselves, meeting them, for example in the forest. Why not go into more detail with these amazing inhabitants of the planet Earth.

Mosses are one of the oldest plants on earth

The Bryophyte Division unites a large group of higher plants, which number about 25,000 species. Of these, only 1,500 species grow on the territory of our country. The estimates are approximate, since very large areas of the tropical forests have not been studied so far. There is even a separate science that studies mosses - bryology. The oldest fossil forms are attributed to the Carboniferous times, but scientists admit that they appeared even earlier. These are the only plants whose evolution is associated with the regressive development of the sporophyte. They are still at the dawn of the development of life on Earth, firmly took their place in the plant world and retain it to this day.

Twenty-two species from the Moscow branch of the Moscow Region are included in the Red Data Book of Russia: the Krylov's Kampilium, the Orchidium alternate, the bryofsifium Savate, the ongasteria of the earwig, the atractylocarpus alpine, the Marcius aureas, the Hindiella Tien Shan, the short-winged Lindbergh, the Lindberghia Doutier, the mamillariella crankace, the creep multi- Gomaliadelfus smooth-toothed, northern necker, plagiothecium tupeyshy, taxiifillum alternating, actinotideum Hooker, leptopteriginandrum southern alpine, giofila wrapped, phosphombrony alaska nskaya, backgammon Japanese, izopahes discolored.

The general characteristic of mosses

The concepts of moss (Latin name - "bryophyte") and mosses are very extensive and unite many species. In general, these are undersized perennials with a height of 1 mm to several centimeters, but there are species reaching 60 cm or more. A distinctive feature of mosses is the complete absence of a root system. Their function is performed by special outgrowths of the epidermis - rhizoids. With their help, the body of the moss is attached to the substrate and receives water with mineral substances dissolved in it. The cycle of reproduction consists of the sex (gametophyte) and asexual (sporophyte) generation. On the one hand regressive signs have thrown them back far in comparison with other plants of the planet, but on the other hand they have allowed to survive in the most severe conditions, when all the others died out. This is due to the fact that they originally took a place under the cover of other plants, so they are neutral both for lighting and for heat. The main factor for mosses is the presence of moisture. But even to its lack they managed to adapt. There is another amazing feature of mosses - the ability to fall into a state of suspended animation under adverse environmental conditions. At this point, the plant almost stops all life processes. Mosses can be in a state of suspended animation for decades, with success experiencing extremely low or high temperatures, lack or absence of moisture.

Distribution of mosses

These plants are very fond of wet places, they are spread almost all over the world, except for seas and strongly acidic (saline) soils. Especially often, various types of mosses, whose names are sometimes difficult to translate from Latin, are found in the tundra. They grow slowly enough (the annual increment is 1-2 mm), if we take one individual plant, but, in general, a very significant biomass is obtained.

The fact that mosses inhabit almost all corners of the planet is also explained by the fact that these are oligotrophic plants. They can grow even on the poorest and poorest soils. Animals, as a rule, do not eat mosses. Their ability to actively retain moisture sometimes leads to waterlogging of the soil.

Reproduction of mosses

These plants have a peculiar cycle of reproduction. The names of mosses and their distribution are different, but they are all similar in that one plant combines gametophyte and sporophyte. The latter is also called the asexual generation. It is represented by a small box with spores, which is fixed in the gametophyte with the help of a suction cup. The development of the sexual generation begins with the sprouting of spores. Initially, a filamentous or lamellar formation (protoneme) develops, on which buds are laid, from which then grows a lamellar thallus or stems with leaves, depending on what kind of mosses are these. The names of the organs of sexual reproduction of higher plants are familiar to many from the school - these are archegonia and antheridia. The first are female reproductive organs, characteristic of higher spore plants, as well as the order of the Gymnosperms. Antheridia are male organs, they are found in higher plants and algae.

Classification

Let us dwell in more detail on the question of what mosses are. The name of the two existing classes is very unusual: hepatic and leaf-stalk. Previously, the classification also included Antocerot mosses. But later the scientists came to the conclusion that they are different groups of plants and allocated them to a special department. Each class has its own specific features and characteristics.

Class Hepatitis or Hepatic: Species of mosses, names and photos

A distinctive feature of all species of these plants is the wide variety of gametophytes and similarity of sporophytes. The total class size is about 300 genera and 6,000 moss species. They grow mainly in tropical climates. For them, vegetative propagation is more characteristic of more or less developed parts of the thallus.

There are species that are not fixed either on soil or on trees, for example, riccia floating. In natural conditions, it occurs in the Far East and Ciscaucasia. Sometimes it is also bred in aquariums.

On the territory of Russia there is also a fairly widespread march of diverse. This moss grows on the soil. The body of the plant (thallus) has the appearance of a multilayered, strongly branching plate and dimensions of up to 10 centimeters. Plants are dioecious, and reproductive organs are placed above the plate on special supports in the form of an umbrella.

What are the generic names of mosses of the Liverwort class? Let us list some of them: spherocarpus, pallavicini, symphyogin, merchia, hymenophytum, metzheria, riccia.

Class Listostechnye mosses: examples, names

Listostebelnye mosses - this is the most numerous class, which includes more than 15 000 species, united in 700 genera. In addition to their multiplicity, they also have an important role in the plant envelope of the Earth. The gametophyte in representatives of this class can grow vertically upwards or in a horizontal plane. Depending on this, they are divided, respectively, into orthotropic and plagiotropic species. Listostebelnye moss for convenience were divided into three subclasses: sphagnum, andreevye, brieves.

Subclass Sphagnum mosses

Everyone knows these names of mosses. Plants included in the subclass, there are more than 300 species (40 species found in our country), and they grow around the world. All representatives of the species are quite large in size and color of white-green, brown or red hue. Most species of this subclass comprise the vegetation of the tundra zone and are the main source of peat deposits.

The genus Sphagnum, or peat moss, includes 120 species. All of them grow on swamps, covering them with a solid carpet. The stems produce an increase of 2-3 cm per year, while the lower part dies and decomposes, but does not rot. The reason for this feature is that carbolic acid is formed in the moss body, which is an antiseptic. The dead part forms peat, but this process is very slow. So, it was calculated that 1 meter of such deposits formed over 1,000 years!

Another representative of the subclass under consideration was a rural tinder. This moss grows in the trees, the name has an unusual. Habitat: from the tundra to the arctic desert zone. It is fixed on the bare roots of trees and bark, as well as stones. Has a characteristic brown or greenish-brown color, the stem grows to 10 centimeters.

We give some names of mosses of the genus in question: sphagnum marsh, protruding, brown, girgenzone, Magellan, papillous.

Subclass Brief mosses

The subclass is quite numerous and includes more than 14,000 species, 1,300 of which are found on the territory of Russia. In general, these are perennials, reaching very impressive sizes: from 1 mm to 50 cm in height. The color is usually green, reddish-brown or even almost black. They grow, as a rule, on soil, rotten trees or on leaves. They absolutely can not stand salty soils. It is well known to all such names of mosses in Russian, as kukushkin flax, or in the scientific polytrichum ordinary, hairy brium. They grow in the northern and middle parts of Russia, most often in the forest.

Subclass Andreevye

This group of small plants (about 120 species), growing in cold climates (the Arctic and Antarctica). They can be found on rocks and rocks, on which they form something like pads. Representatives of this subclass are the andree rock, red and yellow splines, rotobrium rosette-shaped, leucobrium gray, water drooping, long-legged dikranum. These are just some types of moss. The names and photos of other representatives of the subclass can be found in botanical atlases, where a detailed description of the genus and species will also be given.

Department of Anthocerot

The antrocerot were previously treated as mosses and stood out as a separate class. Now they are defined as moss-like plants having a similar thallus structure. The thallow is characterized by a rosette-like shape, on the lower side there are rhizoids. They are inhabitants of the tropics, and only a few species grow in a temperate climate.

How to distinguish moss from lichen?

People very often confuse not only the names of mosses and lichens, but in general their appearance. The main difference is that the latter are representatives of the lower spore plants that appeared on Earth much earlier than mosses. Some lichens even have a name that directly indicates belonging to a completely different group of plants. For example, oak moss, Irish moss, reindeer moss. The names remained intact, but they do not have any relationship to the moss-like department under consideration. Oak moss has a beautiful scientific name, Evernia Plum. If you look at the photo, it immediately becomes clear that this is a lichen. It grows, as the name suggests, on the bark of oak, as well as some coniferous plants.

The body of lichens is a symbiosis of algae and fungus. They do not have roots, and mosses have their resemblance - rhizoids. Speaking more simply, the lichen body is like a sandwich: on top and bottom is a mushroom, and in the middle there are algae that carry out the process of photosynthesis. The substrate to which a lichen is attached (most often trees) is destroyed by the action of a particular acid, which fungi secrete. Moreover, it is capable of destroying even a stone. Therefore, these plants are quite harmful. So, when they appear, for example, on fruit trees, they simply destroy the bark. But at the same time, lichens are an indicator of the purity of the air, because they absolutely do not tolerate gas contamination.

What are ferns and mosses like?

Ferns in the evolutionary plan are one step higher than mosses. This is explained by the fact that they have a vascular conducting system, through which water enters the plant and dissolved in it mineral substances. They are more familiar to people and are found everywhere in the forests. The boarder and the eagle are known names. Mosses and ferns still unite one significant similarity: they both multiply not by seeds, but by spores. That is, there is an alternation of the sexual and asexual generation (sporophyte and gametophyte). In addition, they very often are neighbors in their natural habitat, since both prefer shade and high humidity.

The meaning of mosses

Mosses in the natural environment are pioneers, they are the first to inhabit areas whose climatic conditions sometimes do not fit any other plant. These plants are an integral part of the whole biosphere as a whole. Mosses create special biocenoses in the tundra, covering the earth with a solid carpet.

They have a very pronounced ability to retain moisture, the benefits of which can be interpreted from two sides. From the first point of view, they regulate the water balance in the soil, and from the second - they promote swamping of forests, meadows and agricultural lands.

Sphagnum mosses are the most valuable source of peat deposits formation, which is widely used as fuel, material for construction and in agriculture. In addition, some species are used in medicine, since they have antibacterial properties. But the formation of sphagnum and hypnum bogs is of significant importance for the entire ecosystem as a whole. This is the place of many bushes and herbaceous plants, a home for numerous commercial animals and birds. But most importantly, the swamp is a kind of spare reservoir with fresh water. After all, like a sponge, absorbing all the precipitation, it gradually then gives moisture to the soil in small streams that flow from it. The swamp acts as a regulator of the humidity of the adjoining territory.