Bryophytes
Bryophytes
The Hidden Forest
Bryophytes
No doubt you have been out walking in the forest and found yourself walking on a carpet of small green plants or seen them growing along the walking tracks. This carpet consists of many small simple plants collectively known as bryophytes, although mixed in with these you are also likely to find fungi, lichens, ferns and other small vascular plants. On the following pages you will find information and photographs of the more common New Zealand bryophytes.
Please remember this site is not intended as an identification guide but rather its purpose is to show you the diversity of life. Particularly the smaller life forms that you are more likely to walk on than even notice. Have you read the Disclaimer?
Bryophytes are a group of small, simple, green land dwelling plants of which, a few are aquatic comprising of Hornworts (Anthocerotopsida), Liverworts (Hepaticopsida), and Mosses (Bryopsida).
These are the largest group of land plants, which number about 25,000 different species found though out the world. Most are found in areas, which are humid and damp with a cold to moderately warm climate. They can withstand being frozen in snow without damage.
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