Question

Can bryophytes reproduce asexually?

Answer 1

Bryophytes:

1. Bryophytes are nonvascular terrestrial plants of moist habitats.
2. They are independent multicellular haploid gametophytes that develop into sex organs.
3. Bryophytes have two modes of reproduction -sexual and asexual.
4. The sexual mode of reproduction is done by male and female sex organs. Sexual reproduction is common but asexual reproduction can take place in some species.
5. In some species of bryophytes like Liverworts (Marchantia) asexual reproduction takes place by the process of fragmentation.
6. Gemmae formation is another mode of asexual reproduction.
7. Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds. They form gemma cups and in the final stage, they detach from the parent body and germinate to form a new individual.