Moss (Clearweed)

Pilea pumila

The common name of the moss Pilea pumila is Clearweed. (1)

• Mosses are Bryophytes. (2)
• Bryophytes, like the Clearweed moss, have a dominant gametophyte generation. (2)
• They are also known as Embryophytes because these plants nurture their embryos. (2)
• Mosses range from 1-10 cm in height. (3)
• They prefer to grow in dark, damp places. (3)
• Mosses do not have seeds, but they still reproduce sexually. (3)
• Also, since mosses do not have seeds or flowers, they are neither monocot or dicot. (3)
• Mosses also can be either monoicous or dioecious. Monoicous plants have both the male and female reproductive organs on the same plant. The Clearweed moss that is shown here is monoicous.  (3)
• Mosses are nonvascular plants which means they do not have veins to transport nutrients. (3)
• Mosses can grow on trees, as shown in this picture, but they are non parasitic to the tree. (3)

Citations:

1. "Intro to Moss Identification 19 Common Ohio Mosses." The Ohio Moss and Lichen Association. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://ohiomosslichen.org/MossID19.html>.
2. "Sporophyte." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporophyte>.
3. "Moss." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moss>.

2.