Kukushkin flax is a plant that is most common in the Russian Federation in the forests of the northern and middle stripes. Favorable conditions for it are observed in the taiga swampy woodland-meadows, in marshes and in wet meadows. The plant belongs to the genus of leafy mosses, to the department of bryophytes. There are more than a hundred of its varieties on the planet. Kukushkin flax, which forms pillow-like turfs, is often found in the tundra and in the mountains. The most widespread in the territory of the CIS countries was the common polytrichum (the second name of the plant).
Great value of the sun
Kukushkin flax loves light very much. That is why in dark spruce forests, even if the soil there is moist and fertile, it will be limited in growth and development. With a sufficient amount of sunlight, the plant rapidly stretches, actively capturing new areas and covering the soil with a dense carpet. The land under cuckoo flax dries much more slowly, which is why its growth gradually leads to swamping of the area.
Description
Moss cuckoo flax is characterized by rather high stems (their length is 10-15 centimeters, however, forty centimeter plants are also found). The conductive system provides movement of water and nutrients along the stem.
origin of name
The described plant has straight brownish stems. On them are small leaves of a dark green hue that resemble flax in miniature. But the boxes that appear on the female plants cause associations with the cuckoo, located on a kind of pole.
The structure of cuckoo flax
The plant in question is classified as a leafy perennial moss. Its dimensions are large, in the lower part of the stem are rhizoids - primitive analogues of the roots. There are no leaves on the primary horizontal stem. The secondary stem can be either simple or branched. It is erect, the average length is within fifteen centimeters. On each sheet there is a major major vein. Kukushkin flax, whose structure is quite simple, has scaly lower leaves.
Stem functions
The main role of this part of the plant is the supporting one. No less important is the conductive ability of the stem. It acts as a link between the leaves and the root system. The stem also performs some secondary functions. Among them is the preservation of the supply of nutrients.
Reproduction and development
The plant propagates in the following ways: sexual (gametes) and asexual (spores, shoots). They alternate.
How exactly does the cuckoo flax plant propagate? The spores that the plant forms are in sporangia (capsule) on the leg. After ripening, they spill out of this natural repository. Under favorable conditions, spores form a multicellular filament, and from it, in turn, several gametophytes appear (this happens by budding). Gametophyte is considered a green perennial shoot with leaves and rhizoids (root-like formations). The latter take salt and iodine from the soil. Leaf cells provide the synthesis of all other necessary substances. Based on this, it can be argued that the gametophyte is an independent organism.
After some time, the gametophyte stops its growth. Then begins cuckoo flax reproduction. In the center of the rosette of leaves (the location is at the top of the stem), male and female genital organs develop. The former are represented by anteridia (the name comes from the Greek word "anteros", which means "flowering"), in which the moving gametes - spermatozoa, as well as archegonia - the female genital organs, which are responsible for the formation of an immobile female gamete - the egg, go through the development cycle.
Male plants are characterized by the presence of larger leaves, stained yellow-brown. Female specimens do not have such leaves.
When a rainy season or flood occurs, sperm (male cells) are able to swim to the egg. As a result, they merge. At the end of the fertilization process, a zygote appears (this word comes from the Greek “zygotos”, which translates as “connected”). This is the first stage of embryo development. The next year, from a fertilized zygote, a small box (sporogon) develops, which is located on a rather long leg without leaves. In the future, the box becomes a place for the development of spores. This natural repository is very fragile. It sways even from a light breeze. After the cap falls off and the spores fall out, the germination of a green branched thread - a pregrowth - is observed. Note that for a successful result, it is necessary that the spores fall into a favorable environment for them, in which case cuckoo flax will multiply.
On the preteen, buds are formed, from which female and male plant specimens appear. Thus, it can be seen that the life cycle of the development of mosses includes the sequential alternation of asexual and sexual generations. During evolution, this feature has developed in many plants, including cuckoo flax.
Propagation of this type of moss vegetatively makes it easy to get a thick green carpet on a personal plot. It is enough to place a small piece of moss on a damp area. However, the ability of this plant to swamp its habitat should be taken into account.
Use for various purposes.
If you remove the leaves from cuckoo flax, you can get flexible stiff threads formed by central stems. Our ancestors used this natural material to make brushes and brooms. After soaking and combing, the stems became an excellent basis for mats, rugs, baskets and thick curtains. It is noteworthy that during the excavations of the early Roman fort in England, the remains of baskets created from cuckoo flax were found. Products date back to 86 AD.
Previously, cuckoo flax was widely used in the manufacture of cloaks for warriors and travelers. The resulting items of clothing were particularly durable. In addition, they had a decorative value.
Healers advise using this type of moss to activate the digestive system, eliminate gastric colic and dissolve kidney stones and gall bladder.
Kukushkin flax, the structure of which allows its use in gardening for decorative purposes, has a positive effect on the soil. So, this plant is able to normalize soil acidity for a maximum of two seasons. After that, any garden plants can be successfully grown on restored soil. Dead parts of moss will serve as an excellent fertilizer.
The most unusual use of cuckoo flax is as malt in the manufacture of whiskey.
Natural insulation
Kukushkin flax is able to effectively protect the building from the penetration of cold and moisture. The fact that moss does not rot is very much appreciated. Its placement between the logs of the log house allows for natural ventilation. For these purposes, moss is used fresh. Before laying a natural insulation, it must be thoroughly cleaned of twigs, sticks, cones, grass and other inclusions.
Moss sphagnum
This plant belongs to the genus of white (peat) mosses. 320 species were identified. Sphagnum is predominantly represented by swamp mosses, which form dense clusters that form either large pillows or thick carpets in sphagnum bogs. But in moist forests sphagnum is much less common. Kukushkin flax this plant resembles its erect stem, reaching ten to twenty centimeters in height. The leaves of the sphagnum are single-layered, placed on bunched branches. The leaves contain many aquifers with pores that actively absorb water. This fact leads to a large moisture capacity of the plant. In the areas where these mosses appear, bogs quickly develop.
Stems die off annually in the lower part of the plant. They form peat. Further growth of the stem is provided by apical branches.
We note that sphagnums play an important role in the formation and existence of swamps. As indicated above, the dead sections of moss form peat deposits. Peat formation is possible due to stagnant waterlogging, providing mosses with an acidic environment and lack of oxygen. Under these conditions, the processes of decay do not occur, the sphagnum does not decompose. Peat is a valuable product from which wax, ammonia, paraffin, alcohol, etc. are obtained. It is widely used in medical practice, in construction. Moss acts as biofuel and an effective fertilizer.
What is sphagnum useful for?
Many traditional and official medicine recipes include this component. And all because sphagnum moss is an excellent antiseptic and reliable dressing. It helps to heal purulent wounds due to its ability to absorb large amounts of moisture. In this indicator, sphagnum is superior to the best varieties of absorbent cotton. This moss is able to produce a bactericidal effect due to the presence of sphagnol - a special phenol-like substance that inhibits the development and vital activity of E. coli, cholera vibrio, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and some other pathogenic microorganisms.
Florists are actively using sphagnum to grow indoor plants. It is a component of the substrate, mulching layer or performs drainage functions. Moss is not rich in nutrients, but it gives the soil the required friability. The excellent hygroscopicity of the sphagnum is explained by its ability to evenly distribute moisture. The presence of sphagnol determines the bactericidal properties of the described type of moss, which allows you to effectively care for the roots of the main plant, preventing the development of diseases and decay.