Moss spore capsule. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouth of a capsule (spore case) of a moss (Funaria hygrometrica). Mosses reproduce by means of spores (small yellow spheres) which are dispersed from the mouth of the capsule by the numerous rays (pink and brown) that snap open. Each capsule is borne on a spiralling stalk that is coiled up in dry weather and unrolls only in damp conditions. Magnification: x100 when printed 10 centimetres wide

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Size: 4572px × 4912px
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Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomy, biology, botanical, botany, bryophyte, bryophytes, bryopsida, capsule, colored, coloured, dispersal, electron, false-coloured, flora, funaria, hygrometrica, micrograph, microscopy, moss, mosses, nature, parts, plant, reproductive, scanning, sem, spore, spores