Characteristics:
Mosses are nonvascular, seedless plants.
They are most likely to be found in the Northern Hemisphere in/on moist soil, or upon tree bark.
The gametophytes are longer-living than sporophytes.
Development and Life Cycle:
Once fertilization occurs the bryophyte is in the diploid stage and a zygote forms. The embryo grows to become a female gametophyte. It releases sporangium, which are in the haploid stage. They then develop into a male or female gametophyte and the male fertilizes the female, closing the life cycle of the bryophyte.
Examples:
An image of Polytrichum commune.
An image of hairy-cap moss.
