Bryophytes are small, non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They typically thrive in moist environments and play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping to retain water and prevent soil erosion. Unlike other plants, bryophytes do not have true roots, stems, or leaves, which makes them unique in the plant kingdom. These plants reproduce through spores instead of seeds, and they have a life cycle that includes both a gametophyte and a sporophyte stage. Bryophytes are important for biodiversity, providing habitat for various organisms and contributing to the formation of soil in their environments.