The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of which stem and leaf buds may be developed.

Stage of growth after spore germination. Protonema

The green, branched, algae-like threads produced from the spore and sometimes persistent.

pl. protonemata) the filamentous (moss) or thallose (fern) gametophyte stage of non-seed plants

moss sporophyte. algae-like strands that contain numerous chloroplasts