Classifying Plants

Vocabulary to Know Botanist Vascular plant Nonvascular plant

Plants Plants do not have fur, scales, or blood, so how are they classified? Like animals, plants are divided into two main groups. Then these two groups are divided into smaller groups. The ways that plants get their food and the ways that they create new plants will help you classify them.

You could call them “Plant Explorers.” Who studies plants? A botanist is a scientist who specializes in the study of plants. They classify plants based on their characteristics (vascular and nonvascular). You could call them “Plant Explorers.”

How are they classified? One way that plants can be classified is by how they carry water. Plants can either be Vascular or Nonvascular. Vascular means “having tubes” Nonvascular mean “not having tubes”

Vascular Plant Plants that have tubes, roots, stems, and leaves Vascular Plant Plants that have tubes, roots, stems, and leaves. These plants stand up tall.

Why are these trees vascular? They have tubes, roots, stems, and leaves. They also stand up tall.

More Vascular Plants

Nonvascular Plant Plants that do not have tubes, roots, stems, or leaves. These plants soak up water and food from the soil, like sponges. They are also much smaller than vascular plants.

Why is this an example of a Non-Vascular plant? Non-Vascular Plants have no roots, stems, or leaves. They also don’t have any tubes.

Vascular or Non-Vascular?

Vascular or Non-Vascular?

Moss on the Tree: Vascular or Non-Vascular?

Vascular or Non-Vascular?