The structure of sphagnum. Moss sphagnum (photo)

Bryophytes - this is one of the divisions of spore plants, which occupies a special position in the system of this kingdom. Representatives have economic, medicinal value, are widely used and are important participants in food chains. In addition, they participate in the formation of marsh ecosystems.

Sphagnum: systematic position

In their place in the organic world, sphagnum occupy the following taxonomic position:

• Kingdom: Plants.
• Department: Bryophytes ;
• Class, order and family - Sphagnum.
• Genus: Sphagnum.

The number of species reaches 120, of which the most common are:

• Sphagnum marsh;
• Protruding;
• brown;
• Magellanic;
• Papillous;
• Girgenson.

The structure of sphagnum has some peculiarities, which leaves an imprint on its use by man. Let's consider this issue in more detail.

External structure of the plant

A green loose mat from the stems, which are crowded on the top, which forms bumps of swamps and marshes and floats on the surface of overgrown lakes, was probably seen by everyone. So this is sphagnum. Photos of this plant can be viewed below.

Very cute juicy stems, many times cut and bored upward. Outside, covered with a crust, which is a few layers of cells. Leaves sphagnum sedentary, reed type. Those that are located on the stem, oblong form and more often solitary. And the leaves of the branches, on the contrary, are more crowded, at the apex they are bent. In fact, they are practically scaly and poorly visible without special equipment. What is usually taken for leaves, these are numerous branches from the main stem.

Like other mosses, sphagnum has no roots. However, unlike their relatives, they do not have rhizoids to attach to the substrate. It is interesting that the lower the stem, the more light it appears. Finally, at the base it completely loses its green color. This is due to the absence of the chlorophyll pigment in the cells, since these structures are no longer living, but dead.

Of these parts, deposited on the bottom of the marsh, later formed peat. That is why sphagnum is often called peat moss. In general, the color of the plant is gently green, not bright. This is due to the fact that it is constantly saturated with a lot of water. The question arises: "How does moss manage to store so much fluid in itself?" This is due to the peculiarities of the internal structure. Consider them.

Internal structure of sphagnum

Inside, the moss is formed by ordinary plant tissues, consisting of cells. The leaves of sphagnum contain chlorophyll, as, indeed, the stem structure. Therefore, photosynthesis is carried out almost the entire surface of the body. The same happens and nutrition, that is, the absorption of water.

Green moss cells connect with each other ends and form a structure resembling a network - this is the plant's conducting system. The organs of reproduction are sporangia, in which spores mature.

Conductive system, like higher plants, is absent. Instead, there are special cells. The functions of water storage and absorption are carried out by them.

Special cells in the structure

Sphagnum cells are not all the same. The fact is that some of them have shells with a hole and a dead protoplast, that is, an empty cavity. This is necessary for the plant to absorb a large amount of moisture and keep it inside itself in these hollow structures.

The structure of sphagnum allows it to fill with water in an amount 20-30 times higher than its own weight. That is why in the habitats of these mosses it is always very humid, they literally float on the surface of the water.

When the plant is filled with moisture, its color is gently green. During the drought, it gradually turns white, eventually becoming quite white.

Reproduction of moss

The structure of sphagnum includes specialized, necessary for reproduction structure - sporangia. They, like all other mosses, are located on special stems in the apical part of the plant. Represent a box with a lid, in which the formation and maturation of spores.

When the time of reproduction sets in, small cells are poured out and carried by the wind. Getting in a drop of water, begin to germinate in a new plant. The lid sporangia opens spontaneously.

There is another way of reproduction, which is carried out by this plant. Sphagnum can give vegetative parts for further independent existence. Most often, this happens after the main stem grows strongly in length, towering over the other parts. At that moment, the daughter plant is separated.

Special properties of sphagnum mosses

Moss sphagnum, a photo of which can be seen in this article, has a number of special properties due to the presence of special cells. It:

1. Hygroscopicity exceeding all known limits in plants. If you compare the ability to absorb moisture wool and sphagnum, then the moss will be more than 6 times! In addition, it is noteworthy that the distribution of water within the body of the plant is absolutely uniform. Therefore, until all the existing cells are filled, the moss will not give up excess moisture. This allows you to use it as an addition to the ground.
2. Air permeability, which allows soil with moss to be very light, loose and airy. Such increased aeration has a positive effect on the growth and development of other plant ecosystems.
3. Sphagnum acids, which are part of the plant, allow it to moderate acidify the soil with hydrogen cations.
4. A rich organic composition makes this plant special. Sphagnum has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as disinfectants.

What is the composition of these amazing mosses? You can name the most important compounds:

• Sphagnum acids;
• Coumarins;
• Sphagnol;
• Terpenes;
• carbolic acid.

Due to this component composition, the plant itself is practically not exposed to any diseases or pests.

Places of growth

The main condition for the growth of this plant is the presence of a sufficient amount of moisture. After all, sphagnum moss, the photo of which is in the review, is very dependent on water during breeding, like all spore. That is why it can be attributed to the main places of growth:

• Temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere;
• The European part of Russia ;
• Siberia;
• South America.

The main ecosystem, which forms this moss, is the upper marshes. Wherever such a plant settles, there is a gradual and inevitable swamping of the terrain.

Role in nature

The whole life of sphagnum is built on its ability to absorb moisture. The peculiarities of internal and external structure, economic significance and areas of application, use for medical purposes - almost everything due to composition and structure. This is also due to the role played in nature.

The main thing is that the sphagnum, the photo of which we have placed in the article, forms peat deposits. Thanks to the sphagnum acid and sphagnum entering the plant, the processes of decay and decomposition of the dead lower parts of the plant are extremely slow. This leads to the formation of peat layers. The action takes place slowly, approximately one meter per thousand years.

It is also important to cause waterlogging of the terrain. As a result, not only the vegetation cover changes, but also the whole biogeocoenosis, the animal world, insects and other creatures.

Economic importance for humans

There are several main areas of application of this moss to humans.

1. For caulking houses.
2. As a heat-insulating material in construction.
3. For medical purposes as an antiseptic and disinfector.
4. In floristry.
5. In floriculture to improve the growth conditions of indoor and greenhouse plants.
6. For the manufacture of household chemicals (washing, cleaning and disinfecting).
7. Peat is a valuable fuel.
8. Often used as insulation material.
9. In Russia, the production of this moss of sweets and crackers is practiced.
10. As the dressing material sphagnum (the figure presented below, helps to better examine the structure of the plant) was used in the XI century. Until now, this moss has not lost.

Thus, it turns out that peat moss sphagnum is not only an interesting and valuable plant as a source of mineral, but also an invaluable well of medicines, a source of moisture and an aerator for other representatives of the flora. His beautiful appearance harmoniously combines with the spectacular characteristics of the internal structure and significance in nature and people's lives.