Seedless Nonvascular & Vascular Plants -Chapter 12- Section 2 Pg. 304

Nonvascular Seedless Plants All nonvascular plants are seedless meaning… The plant groups in this category are mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. None of these plants have true stems, roots, or leaves. They are usually small since they have no vascular tissue. Typically live in damp places since they reproduce via spores.

Mosses They cover soil or rocks with a mat of tiny green plants. Have leafy stalks and rhizoids. Rhizoids- a root like structure that holds nonvascular plants in place and helps the plant get water and nutrients

Moss Life Cycle Turn to page 304- Figure 1

Liverworts and Hornworts Small, nonvascular plants Live in damp places Both Liverworts and Hornworts have rhizoids

Importance of Nonvascular Plants Important role in the environment First plants to live in a new environment, such as newly exposed rock. When these nonvascular plants die, they form a thin layer of soil. New plants can now grow in this soil. More nonvascular plants may grow and hold the soil in place reducing soil erosion

Other Importances Some animals eat nonvascular plants. Other animals use these plants for nesting material. Peat mosses are important to humans. They grow in bogs and other wet places. Used in potting soil.

Seedless Vascular Plants Typically, are these plants going to be smaller of larger than nonvascular plants? These plants include ferns, horsetails, and club mosses.

Ferns Grow anywhere from the cold Arctic to warm, humid tropical forests Most are small plants. Have a rhizome Rhizome- an underground stem from which new leaves and roots grow.

Fern Life Cycle Turn to page 306, Figure 3

Horsetails and Club Mosses Can be tall but many are smaller -Grow in wet, marshy places Their stems are hollow and contain silica -The silica gives horsetails a gritty texture which American pioneers utilized as pot and pan scrubbers Club Mosses: Not actually mosses Grow in woodlands Have vascular tissue

Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants Roles in the Environment: Ferns, horsetails, and club mosses help form soil Help prevent soil erosion Ferns can play a role in the formation of communities in rocky areas Ferns add to soil depth, which allows other plants grow.

Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants Ferns and some club mosses are popular houseplants Fiddleheads of some ferns can be cooked and eaten. Horsetails are used in some dietary supplements, shampoos, and skin-care products.

Importance to Humans The remains of ancient ferns, horsetails, and club mosses formed coal. Coal is a fossil fuel that humans mine from the Earth’s crust. Humans rely on coal for energy.