edwards@houxa.UUCP (D.LEWAN) (12/30/87)
I am looking for the technical term for the reproductive parts of mosses. (I have some growing in my apartment so successfully that it has some and I'd like to be able to tell someone. "Why?" you might ask, but the story's too long to tell here.) Moss' repro- ductive parts are clearly not flowers, but I don't know what to call them. Are they spore capsules? (I was living under the impression that spores were reserved for ferns and fungi.) What else would be appropriate? Any wisdom from the net is appreciated. Thanks. Doug [ihnp4 or whatever!]houxa!edwards
baxter@navajo.UUCP (Ray Baxter) (12/30/87)
In article <1953@houxa.UUCP> edwards@houxa.UUCP (D.LEWAN) writes: >I am looking for the technical term for the reproductive parts of >mosses. ... Are they spore capsules? >Doug Maybe. It depends upon what you mean by "reproductive parts." You are probably seeing the sporophyte, a long filament which ends in a capsule which produces spores. Spore capsule is a fine term for this. The sperms and eggs of mosses are produced in structures known as antheridia and archegonia. The product of the fusion of egg and sperm is the sporophyte, which grows out of the archegonia. Ray -- D. Ray Baxter Department of Biological Sciences (415) 723-3902 Stanford University baxter@navajo.stanford.edu Stanford, California 94305
penguin@reed.UUCP (We're not Beatrice) (01/29/88)
The answer to your question of what is the name for the reproductive
structure of moss, I have two responses. First, what is growing in your home
is much more likely to be a type of fungus than a moss. Moss generally stays
out of the home, but fungus will grow anywhere conditions are suitable since
there are fungus spores in the air everywhere. Secondly there are several
different names for the reproductive organ of a specific fungus. The general
name for the structure in question is the sporangia.
Pleased to help.