Bryophyte, << BRY uh fyt, >> is a group of small, nonflowering green plants traditionally made up of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Many scientists consider mosses to be the only true bryophytes. But the term may still be used to refer to hornworts, liverworts, and mosses, which share many characteristics. These plants have simple stems and leaves or grow as a flat ribbonlike thallus. Threadlike structures called rhizoids act as roots. Bryophytes may have been the first land plants. Fossil evidence of bryophytelike plants dates from about 470 million years ago.
Bryophytes lack conducting cells to transport food and water. All parts of the plant can absorb water and nutrients directly from the environment. Most bryophytes live in moist places, either near streams and ponds or in areas of high rainfall. But some live in desertlike places. Except in wet areas, bryophytes usually are less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) tall.
Bryophytes reproduce by spores rather than seeds. Two forms of the plant occur in the life cycle, the gametophyte and the sporophyte. In bryophytes, the sporophyte is attached to the gametophyte. Bryophytes also can reproduce if any part of the plant breaks off. These parts can grow into new plants.
