MOSSES AND FERNS

WHAT DO MOSS AND FERNS HAVE IN COMMON?

Both do not produce seeds Both are considered “simple” plants Both produce “spores” at some point in

their life cycle Both are relatively small (not tree

sized)

BRYOPHYTA (NON VASCULAR) This group includes the mosses and the

liverworts Has two life stages (gametophyte and

sporophyte) [most of life spent in gametophyte]

Instead of roots has something called “rhizoids”

LOOK AT THE MOSS LIFE CYCLE ON PAGE 259DO THE ACTIVITY: “MOSS LIFE CYCLE”

TRACHEOPHYTA (VASCULAR) GROUP 1: THE SEEDLESS This group is the ferns They have a vascular system that

transports water throughout their “bodies”

They also have two stages to their life cycle: (gametophyte and sporophyte) [Most of life spent in sporophyte]

FERNS: SPOROPHYTE CHARACTERISTICS Leaves, (or fronds) divided into

leaflets Arranged around a midrib known as a rachis

Spores are produced in clusters known as sori on the underside of the leaf

FERNS: GAMETOPHYTE CHARACTERISTICS Known as a prothallus It is a small, green, heart shaped plant It has a short life span