A mature Funaria plant is structurally erect, measuring only a few centimetres above the ground. It is clearly differentiated into stem-like and root-like systems. The stem-like structure bears leaf-like structures that are arranged spirally along it. At the base of the "stem" are tuft of adventitious rhizoids that are used for anchorage and absorption of water and mineral salts. The greenish part of the plant (that is the stem-like structure and leaf-like structure), and the rhizoids constitute a gametophyte body (Figure 3.22). The sporophyte has a capsule which encloses the spores and their sex organs (antheridia and archegonia) which are borne at the tips of stem-like structures. Funaria hygrometrica is the most common moss species.

A mature gametophyte of genus Funaria consists of short stem-like structure in which antheridia and archegonia are borne at the tips of the male and female stems respectively. Sexual reproduction requires water which is an essential medium for sperm swimming from the male gametangium (antheridium) to female gametangium (archegonium). Normally, when it rains, these small stem-like structures become flooded, saturated, swollen, and they burst to release sperms on the surface. The sperms produced have two flagella (bi-flagellate spermatozoids); hence, they can swim towards the egg (oogonium) located in the archegonium.

Fertilisation takes place inside the archegonium to form a diploid zygote. It keeps growing while still inside the archegonium to form a stalk-like structure called seta which is a young sporophyte. This structure later matures and produces capsule on its tip. This means the entire sporophyte (seta and capsule) grows on the gametophyte, where it is supported and supplied with food. The capsule produces spores which, once released, can germinate to form another gametophyte. The cycle repeats over again.

1. They have chlorophyll (gametophyte is green and the sporophyte) thus can photosynthesize therefore autotrophic mode of nutrition. The gametophyte also has multicellular rhizoids for absorption of water and mineral salts. Also anchores the plant to the soil.
2. The reproductive structures i.e. antheridia and archegonia are protected by sterile hair.
3. They show alteration of generation in their life cycle so that when one generation is weak it can depend on another one e.g. the sporophyte depends on gametophyte for nutrition and support.
4. The plant can exploit both sexual and asexual reproduction.
5. The capsule of the sporophyte posses peristome and annuls cells which aid in dispersal of the spores. It also has an operculum which acts as a lid covering the capsule.
6. The archegonia neck canal cells produce sugary solutions for a chemo tactic response to guide the antherozoids into the ovum this increases the chances of fertilization.
7. The sperms have flagella which aid in swimming through the water to the archegonia.
8. The seta serves as upward means of transport of nutrients and water to the capsule.
9. Seta is also raised well above the gametophyte so aiding the dispersal of spores by wind. The spores are light and produced by antheridia and are large in number increasing chances of survival.
10. The gametes produced by antheridia are in large number thus increasing chances of fertilization.