B
ryophytes were the first land plants. Evolved from
green algae, they have occupied the Earth for over
400 million years. Also known as non-vascular
plants, the bryophytes include mosses, hornworts and
liverworts, and there are an estimated 17,000 to 20,000
species worldwide. Though most grow in moist temperate
and tropical climates, some species are adapted to extreme
environments, such as parched deserts and frozen tundras.
Until recently, botanists were a bit mystified by
Nebraska's bryophyte flora. There had been few surveys
for these small, inconspicuous and hard-to-identify plants,
and exactly which species grew in our state and their
distribution and habitats were poorly understood. This is
changing, however, as over the last decade a few dedicated
botanists have been
on a mission to better
understand our ancient and mysterious bryophytes.
The Search for
Bryophytes
Dave Sutherland is among the
handful of Nebraskans who can identify
bryophytes to the species level. A retired
professor of biology and herbarium curator
at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Sutherland's
interest in mosses, hornworts and liverworts was stirred
Bryophytes
ancient and mysterious plants
By Gerry Steinauer, Botanist,
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The graceful chain moss (Leskea gracilescens), some of its leafy stems with stalked spore capsules, grows on a log at Glacier
Creek Preserve near Omaha.
PHOTOS
ON
THIS
PAGE
BY
CRAIG
ROTERMUND
DAVE SUTHERLAND
Spore capsules of the toothed
plagiomnium moss (Plagiomnium
cuspidatum). The cap has fallen from
the capsule on the right and the spore
mass is about to emerge through
the peristome (ring of teeth) which
disperses the passing spores.
36 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2017
