The Plant Kingdom

Evolution of Land Plants

Non-vascular plants evolved from Algae. Therefore, non-vascular plants must have adaptations that allow water-dwelling algae to overcome the problems of living on land and to best utilize the resources available there.

What is going on?

What problems do these plants face on land?

Plant Group 1

Plant Group 2

Which group has an advantage over the other group? Why?

Group 1

Group 2

Plant Group 3

Does plant group #3 have an advantage over groups 1 & 2? If so, what is it?

Group 1

Group 2Group 3

Plant Group 4

What advantages does plant group #4 have over the other plants?

Group 1

Group 2Group 3 Plant Group 4

All lower plants (groups 1-4) have a significant gametophyte generation. That’s right, they reproduce like animals using sperm and egg! How do sperm travel

to the egg? Therefore, these plants must be located near water or inhabit areas with abundant rainfall.

Water of course!

How do higher plants assure that their gametes reach their significant other even when they live in dry areas?

Pollen

Plant KingdomMulticellular, Eukaryotic and Autotrophic

Algae Bryophytes TracheophytesWater Dwelling Land dwelling mosses,

liverworts, hornwortsHave Vascular tissue

Lack vascular tissue

Seedless Seed Producing

Seedless TracheophytesPsilophyta: Lack roots (have rhizoids), and have no leaves. Ex. Whisk ferns

Sphenophyta: Lack roots and have small leaf-like structures called microphyls. Ex. Horse tails

Lycophyta: Lack roots and have small leaf-like structures called microphyls Ex. Clubmosses

Pterophyta: have fronds (macrophyls) and rhizomes (under-ground stem modified for water absorption) Ex. Fern

Seed Producing Vascular PlantsGymnosperms: Have true roots, stems, leaves, pollen and seeds without a seed coat. Ex. Conifers and Evergreens

Angiosperms: True roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds with seed coats. Ex. Flowering Plants