Moss, any of at least 12,000 species of small nonvascular spore-bearing land plants . Mosses are distributed throughout the world except in salt water and are commonly found in moist shady locations. They are best known for those species that carpet woodland and forest floors. Life Cycle The life cycle of mosses alternates between the haploid gametophyte and the diploid sporophyte called alternation of generation. The male and female gametophyte produces haploid gametes, which fuse to form zygote and give rise to diploid sporophyte. The sporophyte then produces haploid spores which germinate to haploid gametophyte. Mosses are non-vascular, flowerless plants that belong to the Bryophyta taxonomic group. The parent group bryophytes, which includes hornworts, liverworts, and mosses , is also known as Bryophyta. Mosses usually form dense, green mats or clusters in moist or shady locations. Learn about the morphology, life cycle, classification and economic importance of mosses , the higher bryophytes with about 15,000 species. Find out how mosses reproduce asexually and sexually, and watch a video on all about mosses .
