| Structure of gametophyte |
Thallus (flat and ribbon-like) or leafy |
Leafy structures with stems and leaves |
| Rhizoids |
Single-celled or multi-cellular, often scattered on the lower surface |
Single-celled, often clustered on the lower surface |
| Spore capsule |
May be elevated or embedded in the thallus, lacks a seta (stalk) |
Typically elevated on a seta (stalk), capsule may have a peristome for spore release |
| Sporophyte dependency |
May be more independent of the gametophyte |
Often more dependent on the gametophyte for nutrients and water |
| Reproduction |
Can reproduce through spores and gemmae cups (asexual reproduction) |
Reproduce through spores and some species also produce specialized structures (gemmae cups) for asexual reproduction |
| Habitat |
· Soil
· Rocks
· Tree bark |
· Moist woodlands
· Rocks
· Soil |
| Leaf arrangement |
Simple, may lack differentiation into distinct stems and leaves |
Distinct leaves arranged spirally or in whorls along the stem |
| Capsule Dehiscence |
Dehiscence can be irregular, without a well-defined mechanism |
Often dehisce through a well-defined mechanism, such as the peristome teeth |
| Examples |
· Marchantia
· Riccia
· Pellia |
· Polytrichum
· Sphagnum
· Bryum |
