15. Plant Group

Major Plant Groups

Bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.

Nonvascular plants that include mosses and liverworts; the gametophyte is the dominant generation.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular bryophytes that are gametophyte-dominant.

Mosses

Nonvascular bryophytes that are gametophyte-dominant.

Liverworts

Bryophytes lack true vascular tissues such as xylem and phloem.

Bryophyte Vascular Tissue

The gametophyte is the dominant generation in bryophytes.

Bryophyte Dominant Generation

Vascular, seedless plants that include ferns; the sporophyte is the dominant generation.

Pteridophytes

Vascular, seedless pteridophytes with a dominant sporophyte generation.

Ferns

Pteridophytes do not produce seeds; they reproduce through spores.

Pteridophyte Seeds

The sporophyte is the dominant generation in pteridophytes.

Pteridophyte Dominant Generation

Vascular seed plants that produce naked seeds, usually in cones; examples include pines and cycads.

Gymnosperms

Seeds that are not enclosed within an ovary or fruit.

Gymnosperm Naked Seeds

Cones are the main reproductive structures of gymnosperms.

Gymnosperm Reproductive Structures

Gymnosperms are mostly wind-pollinated.

Gymnosperm Pollination

Pines and cycads.

Gymnosperm Examples

Flowering vascular plants whose seeds are enclosed within an ovary that develops into a fruit.

Angiosperms

Seeds enclosed within an ovary and later protected within a fruit.

Angiosperm Seeds

Reproductive structures characteristic of angiosperms.

Angiosperm Flowers

Structures that develop from the ovary and enclose or protect the seeds.

Angiosperm Fruits

Angiosperms generally possess xylem vessels, which efficiently conduct water.

Angiosperm Xylem

Angiosperms are the most diverse major group of land plants.

Angiosperm Diversity

Flowering plants, including grasses, roses, beans, and many trees.

Angiosperm Examples

Bryophytes are nonvascular and gametophyte-dominant, while pteridophytes are vascular, seedless, and sporophyte-dominant.

Bryophytes vs Pteridophytes

Pteridophytes are vascular but seedless and reproduce by spores, while gymnosperms are vascular seed plants with naked seeds.

Pteridophytes vs Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms have naked seeds usually borne on cones, while angiosperms have seeds enclosed within ovaries that develop into fruits.

Gymnosperms vs Angiosperms

Major Plant Groups by Vascular Tissue

Bryophytes are nonvascular; pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms are vascular.

Major Plant Groups by Seeds

Bryophytes and pteridophytes are seedless

gymnosperms and angiosperms produce seeds.

Major Plant Groups by Dominant Generation

Bryophytes are gametophyte-dominant, while pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms are sporophyte-dominant.