Plant Classification

Group 1: Seedless, Nonvascular Plants Live in moist environments Liverworts Hornworts Mosses

Mosses Nonvascular, seedless Grow low to ground to retain moisture Lack true leaves –L–Leaf-like structures only 1 cell thick Rhizoids anchor into soil Early inhabitant of new ecosystems (succession)

Group 2: Seedless, Vascular Plants Vascular system allows nutrient transport to greater heights Club mosses Horsetails Ferns

Ferns Seedless, vascular plants –V–Vascular: allows taller growth Rhizoids: underground stems draw nutrients Fronds: leaves uncurl –s–sporangia on underside Sori: clusters of sporangia

Group 3: Seed producing, Vascular Plants Gymnosperms –C–Cycads –G–Ginko –C–Conifers Angiosperms

1) Seed plants don’t depend on water to reproduce –P–Pollen (contains sperm) combines with egg –E–Egg hardens into a seed 2) Nourishment and protection –N–Nourish: Nutrients inside seed for the embryo –P–Protection: Hard shell 3) Allow dispersal –C–Carried by wind, water, animals

Type 1: Gymnosperms Seeds not enclosed in a fruit –p–produced inside cones Cone = reproductive structure Male cones: produce pollen Female cones: produce eggs and seeds

Gymosperm example: Conifers –C–Cone plants –N–Needle-like leaves –C–Common to lumber industry –E–Evergreen, Pine, Redwood, Cedar

Type 2: Angiosperms (flowering plants) Flower = reproductive structure –P–Protects gamete and fertilized eggs Seeds enclosed in a fruit –F–Fruit: Plant ovary –O–Often attract animals to disperse the seeds inside

Fruit Production In the seed –E–Embryo –F–Food supply Surrounding ovary grows into a fruit Fruit attracts animals to eat and spread the seeds Fruit seeds in fox droppings

Angiosperm types (flowering plants) 2 groups: Monocots and Dicots (based on seed type) Cotyledon: embryonic leaf Monocots: embryo with 1 seed leaf Dicots: embryo with 2 seed leaves

Monocots vs. Dicots

Angiosperm Life Spans Three Life Span Types: Annuals –1 year: Mature…produce seeds…die Biennials –1 st year: produces short stem, low growth leaves, food reserves –2 nd year: taller stem, leaves, flowers, seeds Perennials –Live for more than 2 years

Flowers Reproductive structure of flowering plants Sepals –o–outer ring of leaves –p–protection Petals –I–Inner ring of leaves –B–Brightly colored to attract pollinators Open petals & sepals reveal male and female structures

Female Carpel –I–Inner most part –O–Ovary: within the base (female gametophyte) –S–Style: long stalk –S–Stigma: sticky tip, collects pollen Male Stamen –S–Surrounds carpel –F–Filaments: long stalks –A–Anther: produces pollen (male gametophyte)