| Ultimately, the gametophyte grows from a small bud produced by a cell of the protonema that divides and differentiates. |
| Erect branches may arise from the protonema, and gemmae may be developed on it. |
| The spore on germination forms a short filament which soon broadens out into the thalloid protonema. |
| In Ephemerum also we may probably regard the relation of the small plants to the protonema as a primitive one. |
| The rhizoids are structurally similar to cells of the protonema, but they lack chlorophyll. |
| Usually the protonema is filamentous and ceases to be evident after the plants have developed. |
