The outer layer of cells in the capsule (spore container) of mosses and liverworts that contains and eventually releases spores.
From Greek 'amphi' (around) + 'thecium' (case/container). Literally means 'surrounding case.' Named by botanists studying moss reproduction in the 1800s.
The amphithecium is basically a microscopic spore stadium—it's designed perfectly to hold millions of spores and release them explosively when conditions are right, helping mosses colonize new territories!
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