Conostomum pentastichum - The leaves are arranged in five ranks along the stem which is most unusual for a moss.
(photo, Bill & Nancy Malcolm)
Please select root levels for the menu
NZ Plants
Stems, leaves and rhizoids
Branch arrangement
The orientation of stems and branches determines the form of a moss.
Thuidiopsis furfurosum - Many mosses have a horizontal stem that bears branches right and left in a pinnate (herringbone) pattern to form a carpet over the soil surface.
Canalohypopterygium tamariscinum - Some mosses have a vertical main stem with horizontal branching 'fronds' covered with tiny leaves to form miniature umbrella-like 'trees'.
Leaf arrangement
Polytrichadelphus magellanicus - The leaves of most mosses are in three rows, arranged in a spiral around the stem at 120° intervals -
Fissidens taxifolius In a few mosses the leaves are arranged in two rows and flattened into one plane.
See Find by Genus page for Fissidens species.
Rhizoids
photo, J Beever
Meesia muellen, rhizoids detached from the stem - Mosses do not have roots. They are anchored to the substrate by rhizoids. Rhizoids in the mosses consist of many cells, are branched and often have peg-like growths (papillae) on their walls.