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The Bryopsida can be simplified into three groups: the acrocarpous (pinnate), the pleurocarpous (side-fruited), and the cladocarpous (branching) mosses. This is based on the position of the perichaetia and sporophytes. Acrocarps are generally characterized by an upright growth habit that is unbranched or only sparingly branched.
Species in the family are acrocarpous or pseudo-pleurocarpous mosses that are epiphytic. They are usually dioecious and have erect setae and capsules with a well-developed operculum. They are characterized as small plants growing loosely on coniferous trees, decaying coniferous wood, or in terrestrial habitats.
It is a small to medium-sized moss about 2–10 cm long. It is pleurocarpous, having prostrate, creeping stems which form smooth, dense mats. The stems are branched and covered in overlapping leaves giving the impression of a cypress tree. The stem leaves are long and thin measuring 1.0-2.1 mm by 0.3-0.6 mm.
In most cases, mosses with a pleurocarpous growth habit are used because they are more sensitive to dryness and pollution. [9] However, not many are found in urban areas and thus, T. muralis , an acrocarpous moss, are used to monitor long-term air pollution in urban areas.
The family consists of pleurocarpous mosses with very diverse appearances. They are irregular or pinnately branched and form loose mats. The leaves are broad ovate or triangular and are sharply focused at the top. A midrib is always present and usually reaches more than half of the leaf.
They are acrocarpous, producing their archegonia at the upper tips of the stem, and hence sporophyte stalks arise from the tip of the stem as well. The capsule of the order Funariales has a well-defined ring of cells called an annulus .
Acrocarpous – produced at the end of a branch. Acutangular – a stem that has several longitudinally running ridges with sharp edges. Adventitious buds – a bud that arises at points on the plant other than at the stem apex or leaf axil. Alate – having wing-like structures, usually on the seeds or stems, as in Euonymus alata.
The species is described as having a pleurocarpous growth habit that forms soft carpets or turfs. It has regularly pinnate shoots up to 15 cm long. It has regularly pinnate shoots up to 15 cm long. Branching may become irregular when growing on disturbed sites, such as mowed lawns.