Biology - Plantae Kingdom

Introduction

• Plantae kingdom includes all sorts of plants belonging to multicellular eukaryotes.

• These plants are autotrophs and they use chlorophyll for the photosynthesis.

Classification of Plantae Kingdom

• Based on distinct body structure, components, etc. plantae kingdom is further classified as −

  • Thallophyta

  • Bryophyta

  • Pteridophyta

  • Gymnosperms

  • Angiosperms

• Let’s discuss each of them in brief −

Thallophyta

• The plants of thallophyta do not have well-differentiated body design.

• The plants in thallophyta are known as algae and they are predominantly aquatic.

• Some of the significant examples of thallophyta are Spirogyra, Ulothrix, Cladophora, Chara, etc.

Bryophyta

• The plants of amphibian group are categorized as bryophyta.

• Though not distinctly developed, but the plant body can be differentiated to form stem and leaf-like structures.

• The examples of bryophyta are moss (Funaria) and Marchantia.

Pteridophyta

• Plants of pteridophyta have defined roots, stem, and leaves.

• Pteridophyta plants have specialized tissue that transports water and other materials from one part to another part of the plant.

• Examples of pteridophyta are Marsilea, ferns, and horse-tails.

• The commonality among the thallophytes, the bryophytes, and the pteridophytes are – all of them have naked embryos, which are known as spores.

• The reproductive organs of plants of these groups are known as ‘cryptogamae,’ which means ‘hidden reproductive organs’.

Gymnosperm

• The plants of gymnosperm bear naked seeds.

• These plants are normally perennial, evergreen, and woody.

• Examples of gymnosperm are pines (such as deodar, cycas, etc.

Angiosperms

• The plants of angiosperm bear covered seeds.

• Plants of angiospherms are also known as flowing plants.

• Plant embryos in seeds have a typical structures known as cotyledons, which is also called as ‘seed leaves.’