Describe a moss plant.

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justaguide | College Teacher | (Level 2) Distinguished Educator

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Moss is a plant classified in the division bryophyte. There are over 12,000 species of moss that are known.

A moss does not have any body structures that would allow it to store water internally. Mosses also do not have flowers which does not allow them to have fruit, cones or seeds. Mosses are quite small in size, usually with a height between 1- 10 cm. They are non woody and absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves. The roots in moss are used only to provide anchorage. This makes mosses non-parasitic and any plants that they grow on are not affected by their presence in any way. The leaves of mosses are simple and ribbed, and leaves grow profusely as mosses need them to absorb nutrients.

To grow, mosses need a damp environment that allows them to absorb moisture through their leaves and sunlight to be able to produce food by photosynthesis. They grow in large clumps in areas that are in the shade.


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