Capsules of unidentified moss photographed at 40x magnification by Alex Abair. The first stage (left image) shows an immature capsule with a sheath called a calyptera. If you find a capsule that’s a little more mature (middle image), it will have lost the calyptera, and an operculum will be visible. This operculum functions as a cap that keeps the spores contained in the capsule. If you find a capsule that’s even more mature than the previous two (right image), it will have lost both its calyptera and its operculum. There will be an opening at the end of the capsule lined with teeth. These teeth are collectively called the peristome, and they regulate the gradual release of spores.
-Alex Abair.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorContent is created by students participating in the Plant Structure course at Oregon State University for Winter 2017. Archives
March 2017
Categories
All
|