Sanjeet Kumar
sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com
Bryophyte is a traditional name used to refer to all embroyophytes
(land plants)
that do not have true vascular tissue and are therefore called "non-vascular plants". Some bryophytes do have
specialized tissues for the transport of water; however, since these do not
contain lignin,
they are not considered to be true vascular tissue. Bryophytes produce enclosed
reproductive structures, but they produce neither flowers
nor seeds ,
reproducing via spores.
The term "bryophyte" comes from Greek
βρύον, bryon, "tree-moss, oyster-green" + φυτόν – phyton
"plant".
Bryophytes are the oldest of all lineages of land
plants and are believed to be a vital link in the migration of plants from
aquatic environments onto land. A number of physical features link bryophytes
to both land plants and aquatic plants. Two distinct adaptations have helped to
make the move from water to land possible and forged the way for plants to
colonize the Earth's terrestrial environments. A waxy cuticle covering the soft
tissue of the plant provides protection and prevents desiccation of the plant's
tissues; and the development of gametangia provided further protection
specifically for gametes. They also have embryonic development which is a
significant adaptation seen in land plants and not green algae. Connections to
their aquatic ancestry are also evident through their dependence on water for
reproduction and survival. A thin layer of water is required on the surface of
the plant to enable the movement of sperm between gametophytes and the
fertilization of an egg. Keeping these importance characters, I did a survey
under the NIT, Rourkela and found some unique bryophytes. These are following:
Scientific name
|
Family
|
Tergionia hypophylla
|
Targioniaceae
|
Riccia parthanokotensis
|
Ricciaceae
|
Targionia indica
|
Targioniaceae
|
Plagiochasma appendiculatum
|
Aytoniacea
|
Metzgeria hamata
|
Metzgeriaceae
|
Marchantia linearis
|
Marchantiaceae
|
Marchantia palmata
|
Marchantiaceae
|
Pellia epiphylla
|
Pelliaceae
|
