Question

What are the major divisions in the Plantae?

Answer 1

Kingdom Plantae:

1. It comprises all the land plants, that is, ferns, mosses, flowering plants, conifers, and so on.
2. There are more than 250000 species of plants, that is, second only to the Arthropoda.

The kingdom Plantae is differentiated into five prime divisions:

i) Thallophyta:

1. It is the first division of the plant kingdom.
2. They exhibit a basic body design with no roots, leaves, or stems.
3. They possess unicellular reproductive organs.
4. For example, algae, fungi, and lichens.

ii) Bryophyta:

1. They are also considered the amphibians of the plant kingdom.
2. They do not possess roots, however, have crude leaves and stems.
3. The roots are substituted by rhizoids that function as an anchor.
4. For example, hornworts, mosses, and liverworts.

iii) Pteridophyta:

1. They are vascular plants, which utilize spores for reproduction.
2. They are also called cryptogams as they do not generate seeds and flowers.
3. They comprise vascular tissues.
4. For example, horsetails, ferns, and lycophytes.

iv) Gymnosperms:

1. They are flowerless plants, which generate seeds and cones.
2. The term gymnosperm means naked seeds.
3. They generate needle-like leaves.
4. Examples are gingko, sago palm, etc.

v) Angiosperms:

1. They are flowering plants.
2. They possess vascular bundles with phloem and xylem tissues.
3. The root system of this division is completely developed.
4. Examples are rose, hemp, orchids, etc.