Psilotophyta Plantae Flora and Fauna

Psilotophyta Plantae Flora and Fauna

Also called the whisk ferns, these are the simplest of the vascular plants. The division of consists of two genera, Psilotum and Tmesipteris. As with angiosperms, plants of the Psilotophyta have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem), however, they are characterised by the lack of roots, and sometimes the lack of leaves. The plants consist of a small, underground, gametophyte, which lacks chlorophyll and has associations with mycorrhizal fungi. The have a life cycle similar to that of ferns, with motile sperm and a self-sustaining, photosynthetic sporophyte.

Top: Science: Biology: Flora and Fauna: Plantae: Psilotophyta

See Also:

Top/Science/Biology/Flora and Fauna/Plantae/Pteridophyta

Psilophyta - Profusely illustrated description focussed on morphology and evolution.
Division Psilotophyta - Description with links to images of Psilotum nudum and Tmesipteris tannensis.
Classification of Psilotophyta - Main entry in Systema Naturae 2000.
Fork Ferns - Illustrated introduction to the five species of Psilotaceae found in New Zealand.
Introduction to the Psilotales - Includes descriptions of morphology and life history.
Psilotaceae - Description and illustration of anatomical structure of species in Hawaii

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