Bryophyte character lists
Introduction to character lists
Identifying bryophytes using character lists
Some of the key morphological characters of mosses and liverworts in the British flora are summarised here, with lists of the common species that possess those characters.
I’ve taken a set of the more frequently encountered species and assigned each of them to one or more character tables. In this way, I can observe particular characters visible on a specimen, browse through the relevant character tables to see what species are listed, and from there hopefully choose candidate species to explore further, or eliminate species I’ve wrongly considered as possibilities.
Time will tell if these lists are helpful to me, and I hope they may be of some use to you. Start exploring the incredible diversity of form in bryophytes by following the links at right. Or navigate the moss and liverwort lines using the page navigator below.
Some of the key morphological characters of mosses and liverworts in the British flora are summarised here, with lists of the common species that possess those characters.
I’ve taken a set of the more frequently encountered species and assigned each of them to one or more character tables. In this way, I can observe particular characters visible on a specimen, browse through the relevant character tables to see what species are listed, and from there hopefully choose candidate species to explore further, or eliminate species I’ve wrongly considered as possibilities.
Time will tell if these lists are helpful to me, and I hope they may be of some use to you. Start exploring the incredible diversity of form in bryophytes by following the links at right. Or navigate the moss and liverwort lines using the page navigator below.
Moss character categories menu
The characters for mosses have been grouped into the following five categories.
Plant growth habit
The typical appearance of the moss plant, largely resulting from how multiple shoots are aggregated as cushions, tufts, mounds, carpets and so on.
Shoot growth form / colour
Similar to growth habit (above) but with more emphasis on the moss aggregate and shoot form resulting from the branching pattern.
Arrangement of the leaves
Phyllotaxy: the way the leaves are inserted along the length of the shoot bearing them.
Details of the leaves
The characters visible on individual leaves, such as hairpoints, leaf folding, the nature of the costa (nerve) and marginal teeth.
Reproductive structures
Concerns the form and position on the plant of gemmae (vegetative reproduction propagules) and features of the seta and capsule (the sporophyte).
Plant growth habit
The typical appearance of the moss plant, largely resulting from how multiple shoots are aggregated as cushions, tufts, mounds, carpets and so on.
Shoot growth form / colour
Similar to growth habit (above) but with more emphasis on the moss aggregate and shoot form resulting from the branching pattern.
Arrangement of the leaves
Phyllotaxy: the way the leaves are inserted along the length of the shoot bearing them.
Details of the leaves
The characters visible on individual leaves, such as hairpoints, leaf folding, the nature of the costa (nerve) and marginal teeth.
Reproductive structures
Concerns the form and position on the plant of gemmae (vegetative reproduction propagules) and features of the seta and capsule (the sporophyte).
Liverwort character categories menu
Thalloid liverworts form one category, the remaining ones applying to the leafy species.
Thalloid plant body
Liverworts forming a simple or complex thallus, i.e. a flat layer of cells or tissues lying close to the substrate. No leaves present.
Plant growth habit
The overall appearance of the leafy liverwort as it grows on its preferred substrate.
Arrangement of the leaves
Phyllotaxy: the way the leaves are inserted along the length of the shoot bearing them, including the presence of conspicuous underleaves.
Details of the leaves
The characters visible on individual leaves, such as whether the leaf has cusps and teeth.
Reproductive structures
Concerns the form and position on the plant of gemmae (vegetative reproduction propagules) and features of the sexual organs, especially the capsules.
Thalloid plant body
Liverworts forming a simple or complex thallus, i.e. a flat layer of cells or tissues lying close to the substrate. No leaves present.
Plant growth habit
The overall appearance of the leafy liverwort as it grows on its preferred substrate.
Arrangement of the leaves
Phyllotaxy: the way the leaves are inserted along the length of the shoot bearing them, including the presence of conspicuous underleaves.
Details of the leaves
The characters visible on individual leaves, such as whether the leaf has cusps and teeth.
Reproductive structures
Concerns the form and position on the plant of gemmae (vegetative reproduction propagules) and features of the sexual organs, especially the capsules.
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