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How does the moss capsule release spores?
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bryophyte
Bryophyte moss growing on oak trees.
In mosses, the release of spores from the capsule (sporangium) is a gradual process that relies on specialized structures to facilitate dispersal.1
Once the capsule matures, its protective cover, known as the operculum, is shed. This exposes the mouth of the capsule, which is typically surrounded by a fringe of toothlike structures called the peristome. These teeth are highly sensitive to environmental humidity; they absorb moisture, causing them to swell and contract. This movement opens and closes the spaces between the teeth, effectively regulating the release of spores and helping to disperse them away from the parent gametophyte.123