Moss spore capsule SEM

Credit: EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Moss spore capsule. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of the open mouth of a capsule (spore case) of a club moss (Funaria hygrometrica). Mosses reproduce by means of spores (small pink spheres) at certain times during their life cycle. The spores are dispersed from the mouth of the capsule, being flung away from the plant as the numerous rays (light brown) open. Each capsule is borne on a spiralling stalk which is coiled up in dry weather, only unrolling in damp conditions. Club mosses are common on recently-burned areas and on alkali soils. Magnification: x135 at 6x7 cm size. x210 at 4x5"

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Keywords: botany, bryophyte, bryophytes, capsule, case, club moss, dispersal, funaria hygrometrica, moss, mosses, nature, open, plant, rays, reproductive parts, scanning electron micrograph, sem, spores

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