In bryophytes the main plant body is gametophytic which is independent and may be thallose (no differentiation in root, stem and leaves) e.g., Riccia, Marchantia, Anthoceros, etc. or foliose (having leafy axis) e.g., Sphagnum, Funaria, etc.

The gametophyte bears the sex organs antheridium and archegonium. Sexual reproduction is of oogamous type. It forms zygote that gives rise to the sporophytic phase. It is differentiated into foot, seta and capsule.

The capsule produces spores after meiosis that again gives rise to gametophytic phase. The sporophyte is partially or full dependent upon the gametophyte and is of shorter duration.