Kukushkin flax is a plant that is most common on the territory of the Russian Federation in the forests of the northern and middle stripes. Favorable conditions for it are observed in the taiga swampy long-moss forests, in swamps and in wet meadows. The plant belongs to the genus of leafy mosses, to the mossy department. There are more than a hundred of its varieties on the planet. Kukushkin flax, which forms cushion-like tufts, is often found in the tundra and in mountainous areas. Polytrichum ordinary (the second name of the plant) has received the widest distribution on the territory of the CIS countries.
Great value of the sun
Kukushkin flax loves light very much. That is why in dark spruce forests, even if the soil there is damp and fertile, it will be limited in growth and development. With a sufficient amount of sunlight, the plant rapidly stretches, actively capturing new areas and covering the soil with a dense carpet. The ground under cuckoo flax dries out much more slowly, which is why its growth gradually leads to waterlogging of the area.
Description
Cuckoo flax moss is quite tallstems (their length is 10-15 centimeters, however, forty-centimeter plants are also found). The conductive system ensures the movement of water and nutrients along the stem.
Origin of the name
The described plant has straight brownish stems. On them are small leaves of a dark green hue, which resemble flax in miniature. But the boxes that appear on female plants evoke associations with a cuckoo, located on a kind of pole.
Structure of cuckoo flax
The plant in question is classified as a leafy perennial moss. Its dimensions are large, in the lower part of the stem there are rhizoids - primitive analogues of roots. There are no leaves on the primary horizontal stem. The secondary stem can be either simple or branched. It is erect, the average length is within fifteen centimeters. Each leaf has a main large vein. Kukushkin flax, whose structure is quite simple, has scaly lower leaves.
Stem functions
The main role of this part of the plant is supporting. Equally important is the conductive capacity of the stem. It acts as a link between the leaves and the root system. The stem also performs some secondary functions. Among them is nutrient conservation.
Reproduction and development
The plant reproduces in the following ways: sexual (gametes) and asexual (spores, shoots). They alternate.
Howdoes the cuckoo flax plant reproduce? The spores that the plant produces are in a sporangium (box) on a stem. After maturation, they spill out of this natural storage. Under favorable conditions, spores form a multicellular thread, and from it, in turn, several gametophytes appear (this happens by budding). A gametophyte is a green perennial shoot that has leaflets and rhizoids (root-like formations). The latter take s alt and iodine from the soil. Leaf cells provide the synthesis of all other necessary substances. Based on this, it can be argued that the gametophyte is an independent organism.
After a while, the gametophyte stops growing. Then the cuckoo flax starts breeding. In the center of the rosette of leaves (location - at the top of the stem), male and female genital organs develop. The first are represented by antheridia (the name comes from the Greek word "anteros", which means "blooming"), in which motile gametes - spermatozoa - pass through the development cycle, as well as archegonia - female reproductive organs that are responsible for the formation of a motionless female gamete - an egg.
Male plants are characterized by the presence of larger leaves, painted in yellow-brown color. Female specimens do not have such leaves.
When the rainy season or flood comes, the spermatozoa (male cells) get the opportunity to swim up to the egg. As a result, they merge. At the end of the fertilization process, a zygote appears (this word comes from the Greek"zygotos", which translates as "connected"). This is the first stage in the development of the embryo. The following year, a box (sporogon) develops from a fertilized zygote, located on a rather long stalk without leaves. In the future, the box becomes a place for the development of spores. This natural storage is very fragile. It sways even in the slightest breeze. After the cap falls off and the spores fall out, the germination of a green branched thread is observed - a pregrowth. Note that for a successful result, it is necessary that the spores fall into a favorable environment for them, in which case the cuckoo flax will multiply.
On the pre-growth, buds are formed, from which female and male specimens of the plant appear. Thus, it can be seen that the life cycle of moss development includes a successive alternation of asexual and sexual generations. In the course of evolution, this feature has developed in many plants, including cuckoo flax.
Propagation of this type of moss by vegetative means makes it easy to get a thick green carpet in the garden. It is enough just to place a small piece of moss on a damp area. However, the ability of this plant to swamp its habitat should be taken into account.
Multiple uses
If you remove the leaves from the cuckoo flax, you can get flexible rigid threads formed by the central stems. Our ancestors used this natural material to make brushes and brooms. After soaking and combing, the stems became beautifulthe basis for mats, rugs, baskets and blackout curtains. It is noteworthy that during the excavations of an early Roman fort in England, the remains of baskets created from cuckoo flax were found. Items date back to 86 AD.
Earlier, cuckoo linen was widely used in the manufacture of raincoats for warriors and travelers. The resulting garments were particularly durable. In addition, they had decorative value.
Healers advise using this type of moss to activate the digestive system, eliminate stomach cramps and dissolve kidney and gallstones.
Kukushkin flax, the structure of which allows it to be used in gardening for decorative purposes, has a positive effect on the soil. So, this plant is able to normalize soil acidity in a maximum of two seasons. After that, any garden plants can be successfully grown on the restored soil. The dead parts of the moss will serve as an excellent fertilizer.
The most unusual use of cuckoo flax is as m alt in the manufacture of whiskey.
Natural insulation
Kukushkin flax is able to effectively protect the structure from the penetration of cold and moisture. The fact that the moss does not rot is greatly appreciated. Its placement between the logs of the log house allows for natural ventilation. For these purposes, moss is used fresh. Before laying natural insulation, it must be thoroughly cleaned of twigs, sticks, cones, grass and other inclusions.
Sphagnum moss
This plant belongs to the genuswhite (peat) mosses. 320 species have been identified. Sphagnum is predominantly represented by bog mosses, which form dense aggregations that form either large cushions or thick carpets on sphagnum bogs. But in humid forests, sphagnum is much less common. Kukushkin flax resembles this plant with its erect stem, reaching ten to twenty centimeters in height. Sphagnum leaves are single-layered, placed on bundled branches. The leaves contain many aquifers with pores that actively absorb water. This fact causes a large moisture capacity of the plant. Raised bogs develop rapidly in areas where these mosses appear.
Every year the stems die off at the bottom of the plant. They form peat. Further growth of the stem is provided by the apical branches.
Note that sphagnums play an important role in the formation and existence of swamps. As mentioned above, dead patches of moss form peat deposits. Peat formation is possible due to stagnant waterlogging, the provision of an acidic environment by mosses and the lack of oxygen. Under these conditions, the processes of decay do not occur, the sphagnum does not decompose. Peat is a valuable product from which wax, ammonia, paraffin, alcohol, etc. are obtained. It is widely used in medical practice and in construction. Moss acts as a biofuel and effective fertilizer.
What is the use of sphagnum?
Many recipes of traditional and official medicine include this component. And all because sphagnum moss -an excellent antiseptic and reliable dressing material. It helps to heal festering wounds due to its ability to absorb a large amount of moisture. According to this indicator, sphagnum surpasses the best varieties of hygroscopic cotton wool. This moss is able to produce a bactericidal effect due to the presence of sphagnol, a special phenol-like substance that inhibits the development and vital activity of Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and some other pathogenic microorganisms.
Flower growers actively use sphagnum to grow indoor plants. It is a component of the substrate, a mulch layer or performs drainage functions. Moss is not rich in nutrients, but it gives the soil the required looseness. The excellent hygroscopicity of sphagnum explains its ability to evenly distribute moisture. The presence of sphagnol determines the bactericidal properties of the described species of moss, which allows you to effectively care for the roots of the main plant, preventing the development of diseases and decay.
