Natural History Wanderings

from Marin CNPS
Mon. Feb. 14 @ 7:30 pm   Guest Speaker: Brent Mishler President, CNPS Bryophyte Chapter
Distinguished Professor, Department of Integrative Biology,
Director, University and Jepson Herbaria
University of California, Berkeley

Register for this Zoom meeting here.

The bryophytes are the most diverse set of land plants aside from the flowering plants. The group includes three quite distinct lineages: mosses, hornworts, and liverworts; some familiar species are frequently encountered in mesic forests and along streams, while a number of less familiar species are in tropical rain forests, arctic tundra, and desert boulders. Although bryophytes have an ancient history, study of many aspects of the biology of bryophytes has lagged behind that of the larger land plants.

Two questions to intrigue you: Are bryophytes biologically like their larger cousins, just smaller versions? If not, in what ways does bryophyte biology differ from that of the larger vascular plants? The short answers: No, and, in almost every way possible! The groups didn’t evolve on different planets, but their differences could almost make you think they did.
Read more. . .

California Mosses – a color photographic guide for both amateur and professional botanists now 55% off at CNPS store. Purchase here.