1. Seedless Vascular Plants
Ferns and the like

2. Vascular means vessels (tube)
Bryophytes (mosses) can only get water by directly absorbing it through cell walls via osmosis
If very large, water could not get to the internal cells and the plant would die
In order for plants to be large, a different transport system is needed
Vascular means vessels (tube)
We have vascular tissue in us – our blood vessels
In the same way, our vascular tissue allows all of our cells to obtain nutrients and get rid of waste
Plants with vascular tissue can grow taller as the vessels transport nutrients and wastes to and from internal cells

3. Vascular Tissue in Plants
Xylem transports water up from the roots to all parts of the plant
Xylem cells are hollow and have thick cell walls that can handle the pressure of water
These cells are called tracheids
Phloem transports dissolved nutrients from photosynthesis up and down to all parts of the plant

5. Vascular Plants All have the following features in common: True roots
True stems that are supporting structures connecting roots to leaves
True leaves that carry out photosynthesis and contain veins (bundles of vascular tissue)

6. Seedless Vascular Plants
Don’t produce seeds!
Live in moist environments
Consist of the club mosses, horsetails and ferns

7. Club Mosses
Lycopodium is a common example and looks like a miniature pine tree

8. Horsetails Leaves are underdeveloped and non photosynthetic
Photosynthesis occurs in stems
Stems coated with silicates which are rough
In colonial times were used to clean pots and pans

9. Ferns – Phylum Pterophyta
Largest group
Have creeping, underground stems called rhizomes as well as true roots
Large leaves are called fronds

10. Fern Life Cycle
Undergoes alternation of generation (part of life cycle is diploid and part is haploid like mosses)
Haploid spores form on the underside of the fronds in tiny containers called sporangia
Sporangia group together in clusters called sori
Mature gametophyte is heart shape
Antheridia and archegonia are found on the underside
Fertilization requires water