Bryophytes - is one of the departments of spore plants, which occupies a special position in the system of the kingdom.Business representatives have medicinal value, are widely used and are important participants in supply chains.In addition, participating in the formation of wetland ecosystems.
Sphagnum: systematic position
By its place in the system of the organic world sphagnum held the following taxonomic position:
- Kingdom: Plants.
- Division: Bryophytes;
- class, order and family - Sphagnum.
- Genus: Sphagnum.
number of species reaches 120, of which the most widely used such as:
- sphagnum bog;
- bulge;
- brown;
- magellansky;
- papillozny;
- Girgenzona.
sphagnum structure has some features that imprint and its use by man.Consider this question in more detail.
external structure of plants
Green loose mat on top of the crowded stems, which forms bumps swamps and marshes and floats on the surface of wild lakes seen, probably everyone.So this is the sphagnum.Photos of this plant can be seen below.
Very nice juicy stalks repeatedly dissected and crowding up.Outside crusted representing a few layers of cells.Sphagnum leaves sessile, reed type.Those which are arranged on the stem, oblong and more solitary.A leaf sprigs, on the contrary, more crowded on the top of the bent.In fact, they almost scaly and poorly visible without special equipment.What it is usually taken as the leaves, the numerous branches from the main stem.
Like other mosses, sphagnum have no roots.However, unlike congeners rhizoids for attachment to the substrate, they are not.It is interesting to consider that the lower stem, the more light it sees.Finally, at the bottom it becomes very green.This is due to lack of chlorophyll pigment in the cells, since the data structure is no longer living and dead.
Of these parts, settling on the bottom of the swamp, later formed peat.That is why often called sphagnum peat moss.In general, the color is pale green plants, not bright.This is due to the fact that it is always to be fed with plenty of water.The question is: "How much liquid moss manages a store?"This is due to the peculiarities of the internal structure.Consider them.
internal structure of sphagnum moss Inside
formed by conventional plant tissue consisting of cells.Sphagnum leaves contain chlorophyll, for that matter, and stem structures.Therefore, photosynthesis is carried out almost the entire surface of the body.So it is power, that is the absorption of water.
Green moss cells are connected to each other ends to form a structure resembling a network - this is the vascular system of the plant.Reproductive organs are sporangia, which mature spores.
conductive system similar to higher plants, is absent.Instead, there are special cells.The functions of storing and absorbing water they carry.
Special cells in the structure
sphagnum Cells are not all alike.The fact that some of them have a shell with an opening and dead protoplast, i.e. an empty cavity.It is necessary for the plant to absorb large quantities of moisture and retain it within itself in these hollow structures.
sphagnum structure allows it to be filled with water in an amount of 20-30 times its own weight.That is why in these habitats mosses always very wet, they literally float on the water surface.
When the plant is filled with moisture, its color is pale green.During the drought it gradually turns white in the end becomes quite crisp white.
Reproduction moss Sphagnum
structure includes specialized necessary structures for reproduction - sporangia.They, as well as all other mosses are arranged on special stems in the apical part of the plant.It is a box with a lid, in which the formation and maturation of the dispute.
When the time of reproduction, smaller cells get enough sleep and are carried by the wind.Once in a drop of water, begin to sprout into a new plant.Sporangium lid opens spontaneously.
There is another way of reproduction, which carries the plant.Sphagnum is able to give vegetative parts for further independent existence.Most often this occurs after the main stem grows greatly in length, towering over the other parts.At this point, there is a separation of the subsidiary plant.
special properties of sphagnum moss
sphagnum moss, a photo which you can see in this article, has a number of special properties due to the presence of special cells.It:
- hygroscopic, surpassing all known limits in plants.If you compare the ability to absorb moisture wool and sphagnum moss, then it will be more than 6 times!Moreover it is noteworthy that the distribution of water inside the body of the plant occurs absolutely evenly.Therefore, until it fills all the cells, moss excess moisture will not give up.This makes it suitable as a complement to the ground.
- air permeability, which allows the ground with moss to be very easy, loose and airy.This increased aeration positive effect on the growth and development of plants of other ecosystems.
- Sphagnum acid, a part of the plant allow it mildly acidify the soil cations hydrogen.
- rich organic material 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 call the most important connections:
- sphagnum acid;
- coumarin;
- sfagnol;
- terpenes;
- carbolic acid.
Through this component composition of the plant itself is hardly subjected to disease or attack by the pests.
locus of
main condition for the growth of the plant - the presence of sufficient moisture.After all, sphagnum moss, which has photos in the review, it is very dependent on the water during reproduction, as well as all spore.Hence, a major locus of it can be attributed:
- temperate zone of the northern hemisphere;
- European part of Russia;
- Siberia;
- South America.
Home ecosystem that forms the moss, it bogs.Wherever settled a plant, there is a gradual and inevitable waterlogging areas.
role in nature
sphagnum All life is built on its ability to absorb moisture.Features of the internal and external structure, economic significance and scope of the use for medical purposes - virtually all explained by the composition and structure.It is the duty and the role performed in nature.
main thing - is that the sphagnum whose photo we posted an article forming peat deposits.Due to part of the plant sphagnum acid sfagnola putrefaction and decomposition of dead lower parts of the plant is extremely slow.This leads to the formation of layers of peat.The action is slow, about one meter per thousand years.It is also important
property cause waterlogging areas.As a result, not only the vegetation, but in general the whole biogeocoenosis, wildlife, insects and other creatures.
economic importance for human
There are several major areas of application of this moss man.
- for caulking homes.
- as insulation material in construction.
- medical purposes as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
- in floristry.
- in floriculture to improve the growing conditions of indoor and greenhouse plants.
- to manufacture household chemicals (detergents, cleaning and disinfecting).
- Peat - a valuable fuel.
- is often used as an insulating material.
- Russian practice made of this moss candy and crackers.
- How dressings sphagnum (picture shown below, helps to better see the structure of plants) used in the XI century.Until now, this value is not lost moss.
Thus, it turns out that the sphagnum peat moss - is not only interesting and valuable plant as a source of minerals, but also an invaluable storehouse of medicines, the source of moisture and aeration for other species of flora.Its beautiful appearance in harmony with the spectacular performance of the internal structure and the values of nature and life.
