They resemble little waxy droplets . Observe the open neck canals through which the sperm must swim to the egg. If you are lucky you may see a young sporophyte emerging from an archegonium. We will set up a few male and female plants for you to observe. Note the massive size of the antheridia and archegonia compared to those of liverworts.
Pleurocarpous mosses have highly branched, prostrate stems.
Leucobryum is an example of a pleurocarpus moss. Observe a DEMO various stages of Pogonatum sporophyte development with a dissecting scope. Remove a mature sporophyte, which has not shed its spores. Locate the seta . Use a dissecting needle to pry off the operculum.