Belonging to Plantae, Mosses are sturdy, drought-resistant plants due to the resilient water-retaining capacity of their tiny threads-like roots.
Despite the simple, tiny green appearance, the inner structure of Moss is entirely different. Thus, read on to unveil everything about the mysterious Moss.
Do Mosses have Phloem or Xylem?
The Moss is a non-flowering plant classified as an informal division of Bryophyte alongside Liverwort and Hornworts.
They do not have vascular tissues to transport water, minerals and foods (sugar, glucose and proteins).
Thus, Mosses absorb water mainly through their phyllids, a leaf-like structure, via capillary action.
Consequently, Moss grows in moisture-rich, shady places where water absorption is relatively easy.
Furthermore, Mosses like Bryophytes produce single-celled diploid spores instead of seeds.
Do Mosses Have True Roots?
As Mosses are one of the three Bryophytes, they do not have roots, but they do have small hairlike rhizoids.
Although rhizoids of Mosses are not true roots, they have somewhat similar functionality to roots.
Rhizoids keep Mosses anchored to the substratum, absorb water albeit little and uptake nutrients.
Thus, the working mechanism of rhizoids does not align with the way true roots do.
Furthermore, Mosses do not have true plant leaves or stem. However, they have Phyllids and Caulids instead of missing leaves and stems.
So, Mosses are primitive rootless species that do not have true roots, stems and leaves.
That said, Clubmosses, which are not true Moss and are vascular plants, have shallow roots and stems.
Do you know Bryophytes like Mosses were among the first group of plants to adapt and establish life on land?
Editor’s Note
Ancient Yet Resilient, Beneficial Moss!
Dating back to 450 million years, Mosses are ancient plants that dare to grow even in most uninhabitable areas.
Furthermore, these sturdy plants balance the water cycle as they can absorb and retain water alongside soil stabilization in an ecosystem.
All The Best!
