Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts

What are Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts? Traditionally grouped together as “Bryophytes,” mosses, liverworts and hornworts are quite distinct from one another, but all are very simple, non-vascular, spore-bearing plants that are attached to the soil by means of rhizoids, rather than roots. Hornworts first appear in the fossil record in the Cretaceous, mosses in the Carboniferous, and liverworts in the late Devonian. Members of all three groups can be found in moist environments around the world today.

First known fossil occurrence: Devonian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

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