Moss flora of Samara Region

Bryophytes are not numerous but a very ancient and original group of higher plants. Due to their small size the study of bryophytes has long lagged behind the study of vascular plants. According to the literature available to us the first information about mosses of the Samara Region was obtained only at the beginning of the XX century. According to available literature data the total number of bryophytes of the Samara Region are at least 192 species of mosses from 98 genera, 47 families and 17 orders belonging to 5 classes (Haplomitriopsida, Jungermannopsida, Sphagnopsida, Polytrichopsida, Bryopsida). On the basis of the data obtained Bryopsida class (10 orders, 37 families, 84 genera and 149 species) dominates in the number of orders, families, genera. The order Hypnales is most widely represented by 17 families, 49 genera, 75 species. Sphagnaceae (19 species, but the genus Sphagnum 1) leads in the number of species among the 47 families, Amblystegiaceae (10 genera, 13 species) leads in the number of genera. Sphagnum – 19 species, Brachythecium (7 types), Bryum and Plagiomnium (6) of the largest generas.