Plant Classification Flashcards

Nonvascular Plants

• Absorb moisture and nutrients through leaves, often found in moist environments.
• Do not grow large or have true roots; instead, use rhizoids at the base.
• Examples include moss, liverwort, and hornwort.

Moss

• Typically spread in groups and cover vast areas.
• They are pioneer plants, aiding in soil stabilization after disturbances like fires or volcanic eruptions.
• Peat moss has applications in heating, cooking, gardening, and medicine.

Liverwort

• Features leaf-like structures on stems, some flattened resembling a liver.
• Contains numerous chloroplasts and cannot store carbon dioxide.
• Spore capsules release spores rapidly, usually within hours.

Hornwort

• Chloroplasts are large and can store carbon dioxide, essential for photosynthesis.
• Lacks oil bodies typically found in other plant cells.
• Capable of continuous spore production, often found in aquatic habitats.

Vascular Plants

• Possess a system of tubelike structures for water and nutrient transport.
• This vascular system supports and strengthens the plant’s structure.

Seedless Vascular Plants

• Reproduce via rhizomes and spores rather than seeds, primarily in moist areas.
• Examples include horsetails, clubmoss, and ferns.

Horsetails

• Characterized by tall, hollow stems with jointed sections.
• Needle-like branches may grow at joints, and small scale-like leaves often hug the stem.
• Thrive in wet environments such as riverbanks and marshes.

Club Moss

• Generally do not exceed 30 cm in height and resemble miniature evergreen trees.
• Known for growing in mixed forest settings.

Ferns

• Display fronds; young fronds are called fiddleheads.
• Produce spores in casings located on the underside of leaves.

Seed Bearing Vascular Plants

• Reproduce with seeds, differentiated into gymnosperms and angiosperms based on seed production methods.

Seed

• Defines a plant embryo with nutritional reserves located in the cotyledon.

Spore

• A microscopic reproductive particle released by plants, fungi, or algae that can germinate into a new organism.

Gymnosperms

• Produce seeds within cones; key examples include cycads, ginkgoes, gnetophytes, and conifers.

Ginkgoes

• Feature round cones and fan-shaped leaves that yellow in autumn; they are deciduous.

Gnetophytes

• Adaptable to hot, dry areas or tropical rainforests; can be trees, shrubs, or vines.
• Some have cone-like structures that resemble flowers.

Conifers

• Majority are evergreen with needle-like or scalelike leaves; live longer in colder climates.
• Include both tall trees and woody shrubs.

Angiosperms

• Vascular plants that produce flowers and fruit, crucial for food and medicine.
• Classified into monocots and dicots based on seed structure.

Annual

• Angiosperms that complete their life cycle within one growing season (e.g., marigolds, tomatoes).

Biennial

• Angiosperms that require two growing seasons to mature (e.g., parsley, carrots).

Perennial

• Angiosperms that live for three or more years, includes trees, shrubs, and smaller plants like spearmint.

Monocotyledons (Monocots)

• Have one cotyledon; exhibit non-arranged tubelike structures.
• Characterized by long, narrow leaves with parallel veins, includes grain species.

Dicotyledons (Dicots)

• Feature two cotyledons; tubelike structures arranged in a ring for thicker growth.
• Broad, flat leaves with a net of veins, include many common plants like roses and beans.

Explore the world of nonvascular plants with these flashcards. Learn about their unique characteristics, growth habits, and examples such as moss and liverwort. Perfect for students of botany or anyone interested in plant biology.