Classifying plants

• For historical reasons, plant biologists talk about divisions instead of phyla - apart from that the system is exactly the same as animals
• Moss division (Bryophytes); no proper roots, very simple stem, and very simple leaves
• Vascular plant division; true roots, true stem with transport system, and leaves with veins
• Vascular plant division 1

  • Pterophytes: the fern class - wing-like leaves, reproduce with spores, young leaves rolled into “fiddleheads” not buds
• Vascular plant division 2:

  • Gymnosperms: The conifer class - needle shaped leaves, and seeds formed in cones
  • Angiosperms: The flowering plant class - broad leaves, seeds formed in flowers, and split into two orders
  • Monocotyledons - parallel veined leaves (like grass), seed with 1 grain, and 1 embryonic leaf
  • Dicotyledons - branching veined leaves, seed with 2 grains, and 2 embryonic leaves