BiolNote_plant

MAIN DIVISIONS of the PLANT KINGDOM

	Transport System	Reproduction	Other Features
Multi-cellular Algae (brown, red, green)	non-vascular	asexual & sexual alternation of generations, gametophytes & sporophytes look alike	colour derived from accessory photosynthetic pigments that mask chlorophyll
Lichen (usually classified in Kingdom Fungae)	non-vascular	asexual	fungi + algae or cyanophyte
Phylum Bryophyta (mosses, hornworts, liverworts)	non-vascular, rhizoids (cf. roots), leaf-like structures	asexual & sexual fragmentation (asexual), alternation of generations, gametophyte (n) dominant, sporophyte (2n) dependent,	sporophyte dependant on gametophyte, sporophyte - small stalks, gametophyte - leafy, soft
Phylum Tracheophyta - have xylem & phloem - 9 divisions
Subphylum Pteridophyta - vascular, but no seeds - includes clubmosses, horsetails, ferns
Class Pteridopsida (ferns)	vascular, simple root, stems & leaves	asexual & sexual alternation of generations, sporophyte - dominant form, gametophyte produces male & female gametes prothallus	separate gametophyte & sporophyte plants, gametophyte - inconspicuous
Subphylum Spermatophyta - have seeds
Class Gymnospermae "naked seeds" (ginkgos, cycads, conifers)	vascular, true roots, stems & leaves	sexual gametophytes heterotrophic & dependant on parent plant, cones - sometimes separate, pollen dispersed by wind, uncovered/"naked" seeds,	2 types of gametophytes - male & female, female gamete doesn't leave the sporophyte, woody trunks
Class Angiospermae - enclosed seeds, vascular
Subclass Monocotyledonae (grasses, herbs, sedges)	parallel leaf venation, fibrous roots, little or no "woody" tissue, no fixed arrangement of vascular bundles	sexual covered seeds, flowers	gametophyte microscopic, one seed leaf, flower parts in 3s
Subclass Dicotyledonae (herbs, shrubs, trees)	net leaf venation, tap roots, circular arrangement of vascular bundles	sexual pollen dispersed by wind, water, animals, covered seeds, flowers, fruit protects &/or nourishes seeds, fruit may be attractive to animals to aid dispersal	2 seed leaves, flower parts in 4s or 5s

since 10/02/2002