Class I: Hepaticopsida ( Liverworts)
Class II: Anthocerotopsida ( Hornworts)
Class III: Bryopsida ( Mosses)
Explanation:
Bryophytes are small plants that grows in moist and shady places.They don't attain great heights because of absence of roots, vascular tissues, mechanical tissues and cuticle. They are terrestrial but require external water to complete their life cycle. Hence they are called as the" amphibians" of the animal kingdom.
Class I: Hepaticopsida or Hepaticae
Gametophytic plant body is either thalloid or foliose. If foliose the lateral appendages are without midrib.Rhizoids without septaEach cell in the thallus contain many chloroplastsSex organs are embedded in the dorsal surfaceCapsule lacks columellaSporophyte may be simple having only one capsule or differentiated into root, seta and capsuleIt has 4 orders: Calobryales, Jungermanniales, Spherocarpales and Marchantiales
Class 2: Anthocerotae or Anthocerotopsids:
Gametophytic plant body is simple, thalloid;thallus dorsiventra without air chambers shows no internal differentiation of tissuesScales are absent in the thallusEach cell of the thallus possess a single large chloroplast with a pyrenoidSporophyte is cylindrical only partly dependent on gametophyte for its nourishment. It is differentiated into bulbous foot and cyclindrical capsule. Seta is meristematic.Endotheciumforms the sterile central column in the capsule. It have ony one order Anthocerotales
Class 3: Musci or Bryopsida
Gametophyte is differentiated into prostrate protonema and an erect gametophoresGametophore ids foliose, differentiated into axis and lateral appendages like leaves but without midrib.Rhizoids are multicellular with oblique septaElaters are absent in the capsule of sporangiumThe sex organs are produced in seperate branches immersed in a group of leaves.It has only three orders: Bryales, Andriales and Sphagnales
Bryophytes are used as a packaging material for fragile goods, glasswares etc.Mosses are good source of animal food in rocky and snow clad areas. Decoction prepared by boiling Sphagnum in water is used for the treatment of eye disease.
