Plant Phyla

Plant PhylaPlant Phyla

But before we get into phyla But before we get into phyla . . .. . .

To what domain do plants belong?To what domain do plants belong? EUKARYA!!EUKARYA!!

To what kingdom do plants belong?To what kingdom do plants belong? Plants (Plantae)Plants (Plantae)

What are some characteristics that What are some characteristics that ALL plants share?ALL plants share?– Cell nuclei (Eukarya)Cell nuclei (Eukarya)– Cell wallsCell walls– MulticellularMulticellular– PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis– Sexually ReproducingSexually Reproducing

Introduction to PlantsIntroduction to Plants Plants are classified into four main Plants are classified into four main

group:group:

1.1. Mosses and LiverwortMosses and Liverwort (Bryophyta) (Bryophyta)

2.2. FernsFerns (Pteridophyta) (Pteridophyta)

3.3. Conifers Conifers (Gymnosperms)(Gymnosperms)

4.4. Flowering PlantsFlowering Plants (Angiosperms) (Angiosperms)

– All are different in appearance, All are different in appearance,

structure and behaviour.structure and behaviour.

Mosses - Mosses - BryophytaBryophyta Mosses are non-vascular plants -- they Mosses are non-vascular plants -- they

cannot transport fluids through their cannot transport fluids through their bodies. bodies.

Instead, they must rely on surrounding Instead, they must rely on surrounding moisture to do this job for them. moisture to do this job for them.

Though small in stature, mosses are Though small in stature, mosses are very important members of our very important members of our ecosystem. ecosystem.

They lay the foundations for other plant They lay the foundations for other plant growth, prevent erosion, and contribute growth, prevent erosion, and contribute to the lush green appearance of many to the lush green appearance of many forested areas. forested areas.

Mosses - 2Mosses - 2 The 24,000 bryophyte species, The 24,000 bryophyte species,

sometimes grouped into a single phylum sometimes grouped into a single phylum are now grouped in three phyla: are now grouped in three phyla:

1.1. MossesMosses ( (BryophytaBryophyta), ),

2.2. LiverwortsLiverworts ( (HepatophytaHepatophyta) and ) and

3.3. HornwortsHornworts ( (AnthoceraphytaAnthoceraphyta). ). They reproduce by They reproduce by sporesspores, never have , never have

flowers, and can be found growing on flowers, and can be found growing on the ground, on rocks, and on other the ground, on rocks, and on other plants.plants.

MossesMosses

Liverworts and HornwortsLiverworts and Hornworts

The Fern - The Fern - PteridophytaPteridophyta Ferns have a vascular system to transport fluids Ferns have a vascular system to transport fluids

through their bodies but like the mosses, they through their bodies but like the mosses, they

reproduce from spores rather than seeds. reproduce from spores rather than seeds.

The main phylum, the The main phylum, the FernsFerns ( (PteridophytaPteridophyta) )

includes around 12,000 species.includes around 12,000 species.

Three other phyla are included as fern allies: Three other phyla are included as fern allies:

the the HorsetailsHorsetails, , Club MossesClub Mosses and and Whisk Whisk

FernsFerns

Ferns also have a Ferns also have a gametophytegametophyte and and

sporophytesporophyte stage, but the gametophyte stage stage, but the gametophyte stage

is very short.is very short.

Conifers - Conifers - GymnospermsGymnosperms The gymnosperms reproduce from seeds The gymnosperms reproduce from seeds

instead of spores. instead of spores. The seeds, however, are "naked" (Greek: The seeds, however, are "naked" (Greek: gummnosgummnos) -- not covered by an ovary. ) -- not covered by an ovary.

Usually, the seed is produced inside a cone-like Usually, the seed is produced inside a cone-like structure such as a pine cone which is why they structure such as a pine cone which is why they are called "conifer." are called "conifer."

Some conifers, such as the Yew and Ginko, Some conifers, such as the Yew and Ginko, produce their seeds inside a berry-like produce their seeds inside a berry-like structure. structure.

Conifers are fairly easy to identify: In addition Conifers are fairly easy to identify: In addition to cones, these trees and shrubs typically have to cones, these trees and shrubs typically have needle-like, scale-like or awl-like leaves. needle-like, scale-like or awl-like leaves.

And they NEVER have flowers. And they NEVER have flowers.

Conifers - 2Conifers - 2 Approximately 600 species are counted as Approximately 600 species are counted as

conifers including the pines, firs, spruces, conifers including the pines, firs, spruces, cedars, junipers, and yew. cedars, junipers, and yew.

Species within the conifer ranks give us pine Species within the conifer ranks give us pine nuts -- pesto's magic ingredient -- as well as nuts -- pesto's magic ingredient -- as well as juniper berries for gin. juniper berries for gin.

Conifer allies include three small phyla Conifer allies include three small phyla containing fewer than 200 species all together: containing fewer than 200 species all together:

GingkoGingko ( (GinkophytaGinkophyta)) CycadsCycads ( (CycadophytaCycadophyta) ; ) ; And herb-like cone-bearing plants And herb-like cone-bearing plants

((GnetophytaGnetophyta) such as Ephedra. ) such as Ephedra.

Angiosperms (Flowering Angiosperms (Flowering Plants): FamiliesPlants): Families

Seed bearing plants of the Order Seed bearing plants of the Order

Angiosperm are further classified into Angiosperm are further classified into

plant families.plant families.

Plants belonging to the same family Plants belonging to the same family

share a common trait, usually based share a common trait, usually based

on flower structure.on flower structure.

The most important and common The most important and common

families are detailed next:families are detailed next: