PLANT

CLASSIFICATION
CLADE NAME KEY PHYLA EXAMPLES GENERAL TRAITS KEYWORDS

Gametophyte dominates life cycles

Reduced sporophyte is dependent
on gametophyte for survival
Flagellated sperm
Bryophytes Hornworts, Mosses, Sporophyte consists of seta, foot and Rhizoids anchor gametophytes,
Bryophyta sporangia
(Nonvascular) Liverworts no roots
Majority have no vascular tissue
Majority have minimal vertical
growth
Most exist in moist habitats

Flagellated sperm
Most exist in moist habitats
Most are heterosporous
Independent gametophyte and Roots: structural support and
Club Moss, Quillworts, sporophyte life cycles water absorption
Vascular Plants Lycophyta,
Fern, Horsetail Formed the first forests during the Lignin: helps support vascular
(Seedless) Pterophyta Carboniferous period (ferns) tissue
Vascular tissue (xylem and phloem); Leaves: improved photosynthesis
water and nutrient transport makes
survival in more arid environments
possible

Unprotected seeds
Majority do not have flagellated Pollen: improved fertilization
Fir, Spruce, Aspen, sperm efficiency
Gymnosperms All are heterosporous
Red Wood, Pine, Conifers Seeds: improved dispersal and
Pollen often carried by wind durability
Ovules

Vascular Plants
(With Seeds)

Protected seeds exist in fruit

(ovaries)
Flowering Plants,
Most abundant type of plant
Angiosperms Magnoliophyta
Non-flagellated sperm
Flowers and fruits
Exhibit double fertilization (some
gymnosperms do too)