Photomicrograph showing a vertical section of capsule of a moss X60

Information about the capsule:

1. Capsule is the sporophyte of the moss. It consists of three main parts. They are the foot, seta and capsule.

2. Foot absorbs food from the moss gametophyte.

3. Seta is the elongated part of the sporophyte. It can transport food to the capsule and support the capsule. It raises the capsule higher up in the air for dispersal of spores. It also helps to sway the capsule in the wind.

4. Capsule contains spore producing cells. The cells carry out meiosis to produce haploid spores.

5. The top region of the capsule is covered with a cap called calptra (lid) which can be blown away by wind when mature.

6. When the lid is blown away, peristome teeth is exposed. The peristome teeth have some hydroscopic properties. With a sudden decrease in humidity, the teeth curl outward to release spores into the air.

7. There are many photosynthetic tissues in the capsule. Therefore, its nutrients are not totally dependent upon the gametophyte.