Bryophytes

bryophytes The mosses (Bryophyta), liverworts (Hepatophyta), and hornworts (Anthocerophyta); a group of small, rootless, thalloid (single cell, colony, filament of cells, or a large branching multicellular structure) or leafy nonvascular plants with life cycles dominated by the gametophyte phase. These plants inhabit the land but lack many of the terrestrial adap­tations of vascular plants, such as specialized vascular or transporting tissues (e.g., xylem and phloem).

Terrestrial bryophytes are important for soil fixa­tion and humus buildup. In pioneer vegetation, they provide a suitable habitat for seedlings of early pioneering plants. They are also early colonizers after fire and contribute to nutrient cycles.