Study of gametophytes and sporophytes of Buxbaumia

Buxbaumia:-

1. Classification:-

Division:- Bryophyta

Class:- Bryopsida

Sub-class:- Eubryideae

Order:- Buxbaumiales

Family:- Buxbaumiaceae

Genus:- Buxbaumia

2. Habit and habitat:- 

> Partial saprophytic moss.

> It include 12 species, such as:

i. B. aphylla

ii. B. himalayensis

iii. B. javanica

iv. B. piperi

3. Study of gametophyte:- 

> Plant body is gametophytic.

> Leaves are entirely absent.

> Small and reduced gametophyte exist for short time period.

> The protonemal phase of the plant shows dominance over gametophyte.

4. Reproduction by Gametophyte:-

Sexual reproduction:-

> Dioecious plant body.

> Male plant is represented by a single mussel shell shaped male bract which contains a single globular antheridium.

> Female plant is relatively large than the male plant and represented by 2 or 4 rows of very small lanceolate leaves which are without midrib. Leaves are only present in B. himalayensis but absent in B. aphylla. A single archegonium present at the apex of the female shoot.

> Some authors wrote that sex organs are produce on protonema like structures.

5. Study of sporophyte:-

> Structure of sporogonium is similar to Polytrichum.

> Beak absent and operculum is dome shaped.

> 64 peristome teeth in three rings:

i. Exostome (Orthodontous)

ii. Mesosome (Membranous)

iii. Endostome (Nematodontous)