Antheridia are club-shaped gametangia with numerous sperms 6. Archegonia are flask-shaped gametangia each containing a single egg. After fertilization zygote develops into a multicellular 8. Other capsule cells do not undergo meiosis but remain diploid and develop into long, pointed elaters . Elaters are sensitive to changes in humidity.
Spore dispersal occurs as elaters twist and untwist rapidly.
At maturity the capsule splits and air currents carry the spores away. Under favorable conditions the spores germinate and develop into new gametophytes. The most important bryophytes to humans are peat mosses. 1 kg of dry peat moss will take up 25 kg of water.