Question

The largest Bryophyte is
A) Funaria (Moss)
B) Marchantia
C) Megaceros
D) Dawsonia

Answer 1

Bryophytes are nothing but non-vascular, small plants, which include hornworts, liverwort, and mosses. These are the tallest self-supporting Moss in the world growing typically to 60 centimeters In height. they are found all over the planet except within saltwater environments.

Step by step answer: The largest bryophyte Dawsonia is classified in mosses and is kept in the family of polytrichaceae. These are all commonly known to grow taller and have thicker leaves than other common mosses. The reason behind their tallness is known that they are acrocarpous which means that they have vertical stems which reproductive structures present at the end of the axis, this property helps them to grow taller. they may reach up to 19 inches. Dawasonia is a Genus of acrocarpous mosses. Dawsonia, Alongside other members of the order polytrichales, are taller than most mosses and have thicker leaves. Their sporophytes help to contact the system analogous to those of vascular plants. Dawsonia superba is found in New Zealand, Australia, and New Guinea. D. Longifolia is found in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia. There is uncertainty between their types.
Thus, the answer is option D: Dawsonia.

Note: Dawasonia was named in honor of Dawson Turner, a distinguished cryptogams and friend of Robert Brown, who named the genus in 1811. Moss gametophytes lack internal transport tissue, which including the absence of cuticles, results in the water loss characteristic of bryophytes. As Bryophytes can only grow when hydrated, the shortage of conducting tissue restricts most mosses, even in relatively wet habitats, to a coffee stature. However, Dawasonia(along with another general within the polytrichales order) reaches heights like those vascular plants.