Defining Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom:

  • Multicellular
  • Terrestrial
  • Embryophytes
  • Photosynthetic (almost all)
  • Eukaryotic

4 Major Groups

1.     Non-Vascular Plants (Bryophytes and Friends)

  • No vascular tissue – therefore must rely on surrounding moisture and osmosis to move fluids through their bodies.
  • Small in stature, and simplistic – NO organs (roots, leaves, stems) (Rhizoids = root-like structures that provide minimal anchorage / absorption).
  • Pioneer plants – lay the foundation for other plant growth, prevent erosion.
  • Use spores to reproduce (sexual) – require water for sexual fertilization. Also capable of fragmentation (asexual).
  • Alternation of Generations – lush “mat”-like body = haploid gametophyte generation (produces gametes through mitosis), stalk-like sporophyte generation (diploid) forms when gametes unite and produces haploid spores (that grow into individual male / female gametophytes that produce gametes through mitosis, etc.) through meiosis.
  • Examples = Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts, (3 non-vascular phyla), All groups below = Vascular plants = Tracheophytes

2.     Vascular Seedless Plants (Pteridophytes and Friends)

  • Have vascular tissue to transport fluids.
  • Diverse form – 2mm to 15 m in height. True roots, stems, leaves.
  • Like mosses = Pioneer plants.
  • Alternation of Generations – familiar fern body (frond) = diploid sporophyte generation (underneath the fronds are brown sporangia that produce spores via meiosis). Heart shaped prothallus at base of frond = haploid gametophyte generation which produces gametes via mitosis. 
  • Use spores to reproduce (sexual) – require water for sexual fertilization. Also capable of fragmentation (asexual).
  • Examples = Ferns, Horestails, Club Mosses, Whisk ferns (4 vascular, seedless phyla), All Groups Below = Seed Plants = Spermatophytes
READ:
Sandra Cisneros’ Eleven: Summary & Analysis

3.     Vascular Seed Plants (Naked) – Gymnosperms (Conifers and Friends)

  • Have vascular tissue
  • Cones = reproductive structures
  • Pollen to transport sperm – no need for water
  • Leaves typically = needles/scales
  • Examples = Conifers (pines, firs, yew, junipers, cedars), Gingkos, Cycads, Ephedra (4 vascular seed phyla)

4.     Vascular Seed Plants (Covered) – Angiosperms

  • Have vascular tissue
  • Flowers = reproductive structures
  • Pollen to transport sperm – no need for water
  • 2 major classes: Monocots and Dicots
READ:
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985): Movie Summary
Characteristic Monocot Dicot
# of Seed Leaves 1 2
# of Flower Petals 3 / multiples of 3 5 or 4
Leaf Venation Parallel Net-like
Root Vascularisation Ring

dicot-ring

Central Star-Shapeddicot-center-star-shaped
Stem Vascularisation Scattered

monocot-scattered

Ring

Monocot-ring

 

Examples Orchids, lilies, palms, irises, wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, bananas, onions

30,000 species

Most trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

200,000 species

 

author avatar
William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)
William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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