Low power stereo microscopes are very useful for critical dissection of bryophytes as well as providing wonderful close up views of these amazing plants.

Compound microscopes allow the user to see into the smallest cells of the leaves, stems and other structures.

Cell Shapes

Here, a compound microscope was used to create this image of the leaf of a common moss, Orthotricum diaphanum.

The transition of cell shape from the body of the leaf to its tip is clearly evident.

the cells of the mid rib are slightly out of focus as they lie in a plane nearer to the observer.

The shapes and dimensions of leaf cells are used during the process of identification and naming of both mosses and liverworts.

The capsules of bryophytes contain spores which, after dispersal by the wind, give rise to new plants.

The dispersal of these tiny spores is regulated by a mechanism at the end of the capsule that only allows spores to leave when the conditions are optimum.

In the case of Bryum capillare, this mechanism consists of a double row of "teeth" that only open when the air is relatively dry, allowing spores to be shaken out of the capsule by the wind.

Capsule teeth of Bryum capillare
 

The moss, Tortula muralis, has an alternative arrangement of "teeth".

Here the teeth are twisted together in damp condition and only un-twist to release spores when the air is dry.

The shape, number and arrangement of these teeth are used as diagnostic features for the identification of certain species of moss.

It is within these bodies that the process of photosynthesis takes place.

This fundamentally important process allows plants to utilise the energy from the sun to create sugars from water and carbon dioxide and, in the end, provide food for animal life on the Earth.

The chloroplasts in this image are from the
mid-leaf cells of Bryum capillare

If specimens on a microscope slide are viewed with "polarised light", they sometimes exhibit a phenomena known as birefringence.

When this occurs, the object can appear with a variety of beautiful colours.

These colours are a result of the plane of light being twisted as it passes through the certain parts of the specimen.

I often try this lighting technique when creating a photographic image that is just that bit different.