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In this article we will discuss about the external features of funaria.
1. Plant body is gametophytic, and each gametophore consists of rhizoids, ‘stem’ and ‘leaves’ (Fig. 194).
2. Each gametophore is slender, erect and attains a height of 1 to 3 cm or more.
3. Rhizoids arise from the base of the ‘stem’ in the form of tufts.
4. Each rhizoid is branched, filamentous, multicellular and contains oblique septa (Fig. 195).
5. Rhizoids are colourless when young but at maturity they become brown coloured.
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6. Rhizoids, if present on exposed axis, develop chlorophyll.
7. Function of rhizoids are absorption and fixation.
8. ‘Stem’ or axis is slender, erect, branched or unbranched and covered by the ‘leaves.’
9. Apical tufts of ‘leaves’ are arranged on the ‘axis’ spirally in 3/8 type of phyllotaxy.
10. Each leaf is sessile, ovate with entire margin and acute apex. Each leaf contains a midrib.
11. In a mature gametophore, the lower few leaves are small, membranous and called scaly leaves; middle bigger, green leaves are called foliage leaves; and uppermost compactly arranged leaves are called perichaetial leaves.
