Habitat

Funaria hygrometrica is a common greenhouse weed. Funaria hygrometrica may be found in burned-over sites on bare and disturbed soil which is high in nitrogen. Not surprisingly, therefore, gardens and abandoned agricultural sites are also common sites in which to find this moss.

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Gametophyte

Overall Structure:

Funaria hygrometrica is an acrocarpous moss. The short, glossy, yellow-green, and bulb-like shoots for small, loose, tufts.

 

 

 

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Sporophyte

The sporophytes are commonly present in spring and summer.

Sporangium:

When mature the sporangia are grooved and the annulus curls off the sporangium, aiding in release of the operculum.

 

 

 

 

Release of the operculum exposes the peristome teeth. The sporangium has stomata with a slit surrounded by guide cells.

 

 

 

 

 

The long-snouted and cucullate calyptra is shaped like a sleeping cap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seta:

The seta is curved and to aid in the dispersal of spores, the seta twists and curls in response to moisture.