protonema
Origin: NL, fr. Gr. First -, a thread.
(Science: botany) The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of which stem and leaf buds may be developed.
Bryophytes (nonvascular plants) are a plant group characterized by lacking vascular tissues. They include the mosses, the liverworts, and the hornworts. These groups of plants require external water, usually in the form of dew or rain. Some of them grow exclusively in dark, damp environments in order to provide moisture. Find out more about them here...