Bryophytes and

Algae
Bryon= moss
Phyton= plant
objectives
• Students must be able to:
1. Classify Bryophytes and know there characteristics
2. Know industrial and pharmaceutical uses of bryophytes
 Characteristics of bryophytes

• Bryophytes are very small (1-30 cm) non vascular (no

xylem/phloem), flowerless land plants
• Multicellular but are thallus like- thallus is a plant body that is not
differentiated into stem and leaves and lacks true roots and a vascular system. 

• They grow in moist and dump places ;trees, logs and carpets.

• Sexual reproduction; Archegonia-female, Antheridia- male

Classification
Hornworts-
Anthocerotopsida
Liverworts-
Hepaticopsida
Mosses-
Bryopsida
Pharmaceutical uses
Polytrichum commune (Common hair cap moss)-

• Dissolution of kidney and gall stones,

• Speeds up labor,

• Laxative

• Diuretics
• Plagiochila fruticose
-augments acetyl choline transferase activity; Choline
acetyltransferase is a transferase enzyme responsible for the synthesis of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine

• Marchantia polymorpha (liverwort)

- Pulmonary TB
- Liver related ailments
- Treatment of boils
• Sphagnum (Peat moss)

- Acute hemorrhage and eye diseases

- Antiseptic activity

- Wound dressing

Better than cotton because it absorbs more liquid, holds them for a longer period of
time, dressings are cooler and more comfortable and are cheaper
- Speeding up labour

- Sperm barrier

 Polytrichum juniperum

- Treatment of burns, pains, bruise and wounds

- Anticancer treatment

Targionia hypophylla

- Skin diseases
Chemistry
• Lipophilic terpenoids

• Fragrant compounds

• Only 5% have been studied

 FERNS
• An important group of plants – 10,000 species exist
• Ferns have developed vascular tissue
• Habitat: Moist tropics, woodlands, streambanks

• Also exhibit Alternation of Generations, but…

• The diploid Sporophyte generation is dominant (larger and more visible)

• The haploid Gametophyte is small & short lived.