Fig. 1

Physcomitrium patens life cycle. The life cycle initiates with the germination of a spore in its haploid phase (1n). A filamentous structure emerges, producing protonemata (1n) composed of caulonema and chloronema cells. This juvenile phase is completed within a week of spore germination. Subsequently, more intricate structures develop, forming the gametophore (1n), comprising phyllodes, stems, and rhizoids. This stage is achieved in three weeks. The adult gametophore enters its reproductive phase, giving rise to a structure known as a sporophyte at the apex, marking the onset of the diploid phase (2n). Once mature, the sporophyte ruptures, releasing spores that will subsequently germinate, initiating a new cycle