In the dense, humid undergrowth of a Corsican forest, a botanist carefully collects a sample of moss smaller than a thumbnail. This unassuming plant, one of Earth's oldest land residents, may hold chemical secrets that could revolutionize modern medicine.
When we think of plants that changed the world, we typically imagine towering trees or colorful flowers. Yet the true pioneers of terrestrial life are bryophytes—the collective name for mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. These tiny, non-vascular plants were among the very first to colonize land approximately 500 million years ago, and their evolutionary success story is being rewritten through modern science 4 .
Bryophytes were the first plants to make the transition from water to land, paving the way for all terrestrial plant life that followed.
Today, researchers are discovering that these miniature botanical marvels are master chemists, producing an astonishing array of bioactive compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and beyond. With over 24,000 species worldwide, bryophytes represent a largely untapped reservoir of chemical innovation 3 9 . Recent studies have revealed their remarkable ability to synthesize complex molecules that help them survive in challenging environments—compounds that may help us combat drug-resistant infections, treat cancers, and address other pressing human health challenges 3 4 9 .
Bryophytes are non-vascular land plants that lack the specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) that other plants use to transport water and nutrients. Instead, they absorb water and nutrients directly through their surface . This diverse group includes three main divisions: mosses (Bryophyta), with approximately 12,700 species; liverworts (Marchantiophyta), with about 9,000 species; and hornworts (Anthocerotophyta), with roughly 250 species 4 9 .
Approximately 12,700 species with simple leaf-like structures.
About 9,000 species, often with flattened, ribbon-like bodies.
Roughly 250 species with horn-shaped sporophytes.
Unlike vascular plants where the sporophyte generation is dominant, bryophytes spend most of their life cycle in the haploid gametophyte stage 1 .
Without true roots or vascular tissue, they typically grow low to the ground and absorb moisture directly through their leaves or thalli .
Bryophytes can survive in diverse environments, from deserts to arctic regions, and can grow on virtually any surface—rocks, soil, tree bark, and even cement 1 .
They reproduce via spores rather than seeds, and their sperm are flagellated, requiring water to swim to the egg for fertilization 1 .
Ecological Importance: Despite their simple structure, bryophytes play crucial ecological roles: preventing soil erosion, absorbing excess rainfall, providing microhabitats for invertebrates, and contributing to nutrient cycling in forests . In northern regions, peat mosses (Sphagnum species) cover vast territories and serve as significant carbon sinks, playing an important role in climate regulation .
How have these seemingly delicate plants survived for millions of years without the mechanical protections of more recently evolved plants? The answer lies in their sophisticated biochemistry 9 .
Bryophytes have evolved to produce a stunning assortment of biologically active compounds that serve as their defense system against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors 9 . These include:
Including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and the characteristic bibenzyls and bisbibenzyls—signature molecules of liverworts 4 .
Especially prominent in mosses 8 .
Though these are relatively rare in bryophytes 8 .
| Compound Type | Distribution | Biological Activities | Example Molecules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisbibenzyls | Primarily liverworts | Antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anticancer, insect antifeedant | Marchantin A, Riccardin A |
| Bibenzyls | Mainly liverworts | Antifungal, antioxidant | Lunularin |
| Terpenoids | All bryophytes, especially liverworts | Antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic | Various sesquiterpenoids |
| Flavonoids | All bryophytes | UV protection, antioxidant | Flavonoid glycosides |
| Fatty Acids | All bryophytes, especially mosses | Primary metabolism | - |
Among bryophytes, liverworts stand out as particularly talented chemists. They contain unique intracellular structures called oil bodies that store a diverse array of lipophilic molecules, predominantly mono- and sesquiterpenoids 8 . These oil bodies are thought to help prevent desiccation and protect against pathogens 4 .
Liverworts produce a class of compounds called bisbibenzyls—complex molecules consisting of four aromatic rings—that are rarely found in other plants. Since the discovery of the first bisbibenzyls (marchantin A and riccardin A) in the early 1980s, approximately 70 such compounds have been identified in liverworts 4 . These molecules have demonstrated impressive biological activities, including antibiotic, antioxidative, antitumor, antivenomous, and anti-influenza properties 4 .
In 2025, a groundbreaking research article published in Frontiers in Plant Science revealed the results of a comprehensive comparative metabolome study of bryophytes from Corsica 8 . This research represented a significant advancement in our understanding of bryophyte chemistry through its unprecedented scale and innovative methodology.
The research team, led by scientists from the University of Corsica and the University of Geneva, collected 63 bryophyte species (mainly from Corsican biodiversity, plus three Japanese liverworts) 8 . Their approach featured several methodological innovations:
Each specimen was carefully cleaned to remove contaminants—a critical step since bryophytes rarely grow in pure stands in nature 8 .
Samples were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, methylene chloride, and methanol) to capture both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds 8 .
The extracts were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), allowing for the detection of hundreds of compounds in each sample 8 .
The massive dataset was organized and interpreted using computational tools and molecular networking, enabling the identification of chemical patterns across species 8 .
To confirm structural annotations, the researchers selected five species available in larger quantities for further analysis, isolating 20 pure compounds—five of which were newly discovered molecules 8 .
| Extraction Solvent | Average Yield - Liverworts | Average Yield - Mosses | Primary Compounds Extracted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexane | 0.21% | 0.25% | Lipids, fatty acids |
| Methylene Chloride | 0.58% | 0.53% | Medium-polarity secondary metabolites |
| Methanol | 1.93% | 2.01% | Polar secondary metabolites |
The Corsican study yielded several important discoveries that advance our understanding of bryophyte biochemistry:
The research revealed significant compositional differences between mosses and liverworts at the chemical class level. Liverworts generally produced a greater diversity of secondary metabolites than mosses 8 .
After enrichment procedures, the study found that natural products of medium polarity comprised 12.9 mg per gram of dry liverworts compared to only 7.8 mg per gram of dry mosses—suggesting mosses produce about half the amount of secondary metabolites compared to liverworts 8 .
Extraction yields showed high variability between species, with certain liverworts and mosses standing out as particularly rich sources of extractable compounds 8 .
The isolation of five previously unknown compounds from just a subset of species suggests that bryophytes remain a largely untapped source of chemical novelty 8 .
This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to describe in detail the "chemical space" covered by bryophytes and identify specific biosynthetic features characteristic of certain species 8 .
Studying bryophytes requires specialized techniques to handle their small size and complex chemistry. Modern bryophyte research employs an array of sophisticated tools:
| Method/Technique | Application in Bryophyte Research | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| UHPLC-HRMS/MS | Untargeted metabolite profiling | High sensitivity, capable of detecting hundreds of compounds in small samples |
| Molecular Networking | Visualizing chemical relationships between species | Uses MS/MS data to map structural similarities between molecules |
| Sephadex LH-20 Chromatography | Fractionation of crude extracts | Separates compounds based on size using solvents like CHCl3/MeOH |
| Preparative HPLC | Isolation of pure compounds | Allows purification of individual molecules for structural analysis |
| NMR Spectroscopy | Structural elucidation | Provides detailed information about molecular structure and connectivity |
| Silica Gel Chromatography | Initial fractionation of extracts | Separates compounds by polarity using gradient solvent systems |
The unique chemical structures produced by bryophytes have attracted significant attention for their practical applications, particularly in medicine and agriculture.
Bryophytes have a long history of traditional use among indigenous cultures worldwide, and modern science is now validating and explaining these applications 9 . Promising areas of research include:
Bisbibenzyls from liverworts have demonstrated significant activity against pathogenic fungi, including fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans. Some of these compounds facilitate the accumulation of existing antifungal drugs in fungal cells, suggesting potential for combination therapies 9 .
Compounds such as marchantin A have shown cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. In one study, marchantin A isolated from Marchantia tosana exhibited significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells 4 .
Bryophyte extracts have demonstrated effectiveness against a range of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, with some species showing broad-spectrum inhibition 9 .
Some bryophyte compounds have shown potential for protecting nerve cells from damage, suggesting possible applications in neurodegenerative diseases 3 .
In addition to their medical uses, bryophyte compounds show promise for agricultural applications:
Extracts from various moss species have inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic fungi that cause diseases in important crops like wheat and corn 9 .
Certain bryophyte-derived compounds can influence the growth and development of other plants, potentially leading to new eco-friendly agrochemicals 3 .
Despite their enormous potential, bryophytes face significant threats. Their small size and specific habitat requirements make them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes 5 . Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and even the collection of mosses for decorative purposes (such as Christmas nativity scenes) threaten bryophyte populations worldwide .
They are interesting model organisms we should study because of how they adapt to the current environments and the changes caused by global warming. We have yet so much to learn about their diversity in the tropics, their evolution, development, ecology and phylogenetics.
— Noris Salazar Allen, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
In the tropics, where bryophyte diversity is high but less studied, there is an urgent need for increased research and conservation efforts .
Many bryophyte species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Their small size makes them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
The future of bryophyte research looks promising, with new technologies enabling more comprehensive studies:
Revealing the genetic basis for the remarkable chemical diversity of bryophytes 8 .
Helping to document and preserve bryophyte diversity across the globe 5 .
Each species has its role in nature, and each new species demonstrates that biodiversity needs attention. We need to know how many species we have to know their ecological function.
— Juan Carlos Villarreal, research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Bryophytes, long overlooked in the shadow of flashier flowering plants, are finally receiving the scientific attention they deserve. These ancient plants, surviving for hundreds of millions of years, have evolved sophisticated chemical solutions to ecological challenges—solutions that may help address some of humanity's most pressing problems in health, agriculture, and environmental management.
As research continues to unravel the secrets of these tiny but mighty plants, one thing becomes clear: bryophytes represent not just a glimpse into the evolutionary past of terrestrial life, but potentially hold keys to our future well-being. Their story reminds us that in the world of nature, size doesn't determine significance, and that the most unassuming organisms often harbor the most extraordinary secrets.
If children know more about bryophytes and their importance to the forests and the animals that live there, they will contribute to their conservation.
— Noris Salazar Allen