Psilotophyta Plantae Flora and Fauna Biology

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.

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

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