Abstract:In the research of the gemma in bryophyte, the bryologists mainly focus on the morphological traits and the uses in the classification. On the contrary, they virtually ignored the formation and liberation process of gemmae in the past. The present paper documented these process based on new observations on cultured materials, Gymnostomiella vernicosa var. acuminata. The aim of the study is to understand the formation pattern of gemma in this taxon and its related groups; to add classification characteristics for this variety; to understand the ecological and evolutionary significance of gemma in bryophytes. The results show that three stages can be divided roughly for occurrence process of the gemma: (1) the part of outer tangental wall in epidermis cell on the stem extrudes. These bulging epidermis cells have aboundant chloroplasts, reflects considerable photosynthetic autonomy. (2) The bulging cell divides transversely into one basal cell and one apical cell. The basal cell continues to divide transversely, and matures into a stalk structure with a trumpetshaped distal cell. The apical cell subsequently divides for several times, and forms one ellipsoidal to sphere gemma. The thick walled cells of gemma have aboundant chloroplasts originally, and then number of chloroplasts drops lower gradually. The color of the gemma becomes generally into the thick brown to red brown after the gemma is mature. (3) The thin walled stalk cells break randomly that lead the gemma to liberation from the parent plant. In contrast to sexual reproduction, genetic, energetic and ecological cost of asexual reproduction is generally shown to be lower. In the inhabiting unpredictably varying environments, production of gemma for G. vernicosa var. acuminata can be interpreted as a risk spreading strategy, which effectively use of resources and enhances survival, and an effective way to maintain and enlarge populations.