any of numerous plants of the division Bryophyta. A lower
terrestrial plant (often a moss or liverwort) that lacks a
vascular system and is dependent on environmental moisture for
reproductive and nutritive functions. A plant that has stems and
leaves without any vascular tissue or roots and reproduces by
spores. A member of the plant order Bryophyta, including the
mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. See examples. Any member of
the division of nonvascular plants, including mosses and
liverworts. (bri´ uh fite´) [Gr. bruon: moss + phyton: plant] •
A moss. Formerly was often used to refer to all the
nontracheophyte plants. BRI-o-fite Plant that lacks vessels,
including the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. 492
nonvascular, terrestrial green plant, including mosses,
hornworts, and liverworts. Nonflowering plants comprising moses,
liverworts, and hornworts [LCOTE Plants in which the gametophyte
generation is the larger, persistent phase; they generally lack
conducting tissues. Bryophytes include the Hepaticophyta