Funariidae

The Funariidae are a widespread group of mosses in class Bryopsida. The majority of species belong to the genera Funaria (c. 200 species) and Physcomitrium (c. 80 species).

Classification
The Funariidae include three monotypic orders, with around 350 species, most of which belong either to the genus Funaria or Physcomitrium.


 * Order Encalyptales
 * Family Encalyptaceae (2 genera, 35 species)
 * Order Funariales
 * Family Funariaceae (14 genera, ca. 300 species)
 * Order Disceliales
 * Family Disceliaceae (1 species Discelium nudum)
 * Order Disceliales
 * Family Disceliaceae (1 species Discelium nudum)

Description
Species in the subclass Funariidae typically live on or near the ground. Their stems typically have a central strand differentiated from the surrounding cells. The peristome teeth of their sporangia are arthrodontous, diplolepidous, and opposite.

They are acrocarpous, producing their archegonia at the upper tips of the stem, and hence sporophyte stalks arise from the tip of the stem as well. The capsule of the order Funariales has a well-defined ring of cells called an annulus. When these cells die, their walls rupture, allowing the sporangium lid to fall off, and revealing the peristome. In the other two orders, the annulus is not differentiated. In the Gigaspermales, the capsule is not raised above the plant on a stalk, but remains hidden from view among the leaves. In the Encalyptales, the capsule is jacketed inside the calyptra long after it is raised above the plant, giving the appearance of a tiny mushroom.