Bryophytes are one of the divisions of spore plants that occupies a special position in the system of this kingdom. Representatives have economic, medicinal value, are widely used and are important participants in the food chain. In addition, they take part in the formation of wetland ecosystems.
Sphagnum: systematic position
In their place in the system of the organic world, sphagnums 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 widespread are such as:
- sphagnum bog;
- protruding;
- brown;
- Magellanic;
- papillous;
- Girgenzona.
The structure of the sphagnum has some features, which leaves a mark on its use by humans. Let's consider this question in more detail.
The external structure of the plant
Probably, everyone saw a loose green rug of stalks crowded at the top, which forms hummocks and swamps and swims on the surface of overgrown lakes. So this is sphagnum. Photos of this plant can be viewed below.
Very nice juicy stems, many times dissected and crowded up. Outside they are covered with a crust representing several layers of cells. Leaves of sphagnum sessile, reed type. Those that are located on the stem are oblong and often solitary. And the leaves of the branches, on the contrary, are more crowded, bent at the top. In fact, they are practically scaly and poorly visible without special equipment. What is usually taken for leaves are numerous branches from the main stem.
Like other mosses, sphagnum has no roots. However, unlike relatives, they do not have rhizoids for attachment to the substrate. It is interesting that the lower the stem is considered, the more light it is seen. Finally, at the base completely loses its green color. This is due to the absence of chlorophyll pigment in the cells, since these structures are no longer living, but dead.
From such parts settling to the bottom of the swamp, peat is subsequently formed. That is why sphagnum is often called peat moss. In general, the color of the plant is pale green, not bright. This is due to the fact that it is constantly saturated with plenty of water. The question arises: "How does the moss manage to store so much liquid in itself?" This is due to the features of the internal structure. Consider them.
The internal structure of sphagnum
Inside, moss is formed by ordinary plant tissues made up of cells. Sphagnum leaves contain chlorophyll, as well as stem structures. Therefore, photosynthesis is carried out almost the entire surface of the body. Nutrition also occurs, that is, the absorption of water.
Green moss cells connect to each other with their ends and form a structure resembling a network - this is the plant’s conducting system. Reproductive organs are sporangia in which spores mature.
A conductive system similar to higher plants is absent. Instead, there are special cells. The functions of storage and absorption of water are performed 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 in order to absorb a large amount of moisture and keep it inside it in these hollow structures.
The structure of the sphagnum allows it to be filled with water in an amount 20-30 times 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 a plant is filled with moisture, its color is pale green. During a drought, it gradually turns white, eventually becoming completely snow-white.
Moss propagation
The structure of the sphagnum includes specialized, necessary for the reproduction of the structure - sporangia. They, like all other mosses, are located on special stems in the apical part of the plant. They are a box with a lid, in which the formation and maturation of spores takes place.
When the time comes for reproduction, small cells get enough sleep and are carried by the wind. Once in a drop of water, they begin to germinate in a new plant. The cap of sporangium opens spontaneously.
There is another breeding method that this plant carries out. Sphagnum is able to give vegetative parts for further independent existence. Most often this happens after the main stalk grows strongly in length, towering above the rest of the parts. At this point, the separation of the daughter plant occurs.
Special properties of sphagnum mosses
Sphagnum moss, a photo of which can be seen in this article, has a number of special properties due to the presence of special cells. It:
- Hygroscopicity, exceeding all known limits in plants. If we compare the ability to absorb moisture in cotton and sphagnum, then it will be 6 times more in moss! In addition, it is noteworthy that the distribution of water within the body of the plant is absolutely uniform. Therefore, until all available cells are filled, the moss will not give up excess moisture. This allows you to use it as an addition to the soil.
- Breathability, which allows the soil with moss to be very light, loose and airy. Such increased aeration has a positive effect on the growth and development of other plants in the ecosystem.
- Sphagnous acids, which are part of the plant, allow it to moderately acidify the soil with hydrogen cations.
- Rich material 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.
Thanks to this component composition, the plant itself is practically not exposed to either diseases or the effects of pests.
Places of growth
The main condition for the growth of this plant is the presence of a sufficient amount of moisture. After all, the sphagnum moss, the photo of which is in the review, is very dependent on water during reproduction, like all spores. That is why it can be attributed to the main places of growth:
- temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere;
- european part of Russia;
- Siberia;
- South America.
The main ecosystem that this moss forms is riding bogs. Wherever such a plant settles, a gradual and inevitable waterlogging of the area occurs.
Role in nature
The whole life of the sphagnum is built on its ability to absorb moisture. Features of the internal and external structure, economic importance and areas of application, use for medical purposes - almost everything is explained by the composition and structure. This is also due to the role played in nature.
The main thing is that the sphagnum, whose photo we posted in the article, forms peat deposits. Thanks to the sphagnic acid and sphagnol that is part of 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 beds. The action is slow, about one meter per thousand years.
It is also important property to cause swamping terrain. As a result, not only the vegetation cover is changing, but the whole biogeocenosis, wildlife, insects and other creatures as a whole.
Economic value for a person
There are several main areas of application of this moss by a person.
- For caulking houses.
- As a heat-insulating material in construction.
- For medical purposes as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
- In floristry.
- In floriculture to improve the growing conditions of indoor and greenhouse plants.
- For the manufacture of household chemicals (detergents, cleaners and disinfectants).
- Peat is a valuable fuel.
- Often used as insulating material.
- In Russia, the manufacture of sweets and crackers from this moss is practiced.
- As a dressing, sphagnum (the figure below helps to better consider the structure of the plant) was used as far back as the 11th century. Until now, moss has not lost this meaning.
Thus, it turns out that sphagnum peat moss is not only an interesting and valuable plant as a source of minerals, but also an invaluable storehouse of medicines, a source of moisture, and an aerator for other representatives of the flora. Its beautiful appearance is harmoniously combined with the spectacular characteristics of the internal structure and significance in the nature and life of people.