(iii) Central conducting strand or central cylinder. S.) of axis can be differentiated into three distinct regions: ‘Leaves’ are borne in 1/3 phyllotaxy which becomes 3/8 at maturity. Each ‘leaf’ is traversed by a single mid rib (Fig. Leaves are sessile, oblong-ovate with entire margin, pointed apex and are arranged spirally on the branches and ‘stem’. Each branch is extra axillary i.e., arise below a leaf. They are slender, branched, and multicellular and have oblique septa.Īxis is 1-3 cm. Rhizoids arise from the base of the axis. The adult gametophyte (gametophore) is differentiated into rhizoids, axis or ‘stem’ and ‘leaves’ (Fig. (ii) The leafy gametophore which represents the adult form. (i) Juvenile stage represented by primary protonema and