Kingdom: Plants

Phylum:  Bryophyta

Energy: Moss is an autotroph, meaning it makes its own food through photosynthesis.  Moss often grows near water because it needs moisture for photosynthesis.  It absorbs water and nutrients through one-celled tubes called rhizoids.

The life cycle of mosses is similar to the reproduction of ferns and conifers.  The two phases of the plant life cycle are the gameophyte and the sporophyte stages.  All plants go through an alteration of generations.  For mosses, the gameophyte is the dominant generation.

Reproduction: To reproduce, a haploid spore develops into protenema.  This green substance will form an antheridium (male reproductive structure) or an archegorium (female reproductive structure).  Then, sperm is released from the antheridium and travels through dew or rain to the archegonium.  If the egg is fertilized, a diploid zygote will form.  Then the zygote will divide by mitosis and form a new sporophyte.  Then meiosis will cause it to divide and form haploid spores.  These spores are carried through the air and if they land in a damp environment they may develop into moss and complete the plant life cycle.

* The probable classification, but unable to completely identify