Difference between vascular and non -vascular plants

Difference between vascular and non -vascular plants

By Dr. Kyle Muller

In this ecology article we want to teach you What are vascular and non -vascular plantsso that you can increase your basic botany concepts and, incidentally, learn a little more about plants that surround us and live with us every day.

The answer to this simple question and others that may have arisen about this simple classification of plants, we will answer them quickly and with clear examples so you can classify them all in one glance. Keep reading and learn What is the difference between vascular and non -vascular plants.

What are vascular plants and examples

Commonly known as tracheophytes or mormophytes And belonging to the Tracheophyta group, they are the ones that we know in a general way as vascular plants. One of the main characteristics of vascular plants They have conductive and structural fabrics designed to give them a better support and energy contribution for their development. Thanks to this we can answer the question: What means that a plant is vascular? Well, it is one that has evolved structures to achieve optimal growth. They also receive the name of upper plants Due to this reason. In the large majority of cases, vascular plants present their parts in a differentiated way. We talk about the root, stem, leaves, flowers and fruits. Therefore, it is very likely that the vast majority of plants that surround you and know are part of this classification.

Next, we have made a simple classification with some Examples of vascular plants so that it is much easier to differentiate them with each other and know part of their main characteristics.

  • First are the plants that belong to Filicine. These belong to one of the first groups of plants that populated the planet. In fact, they do not produce flowers, so their reproduction occurs through the spores. Here we can answer the doubt of whether The ferns are vascular plants Or no: yes, ferns are vascular plants. These particular plants always need very humid climates to grow and reproduce from there that they have a great ornamental value for their exotic point.
  • Vascular plants are divided into two large groups, Angiosperma and gymnosperms. In the case of Angiospermas plants We talk about plants whose reproductive system is protected, have true flowers and produce fruits and seeds. Within angiosperms there is a subdivision: monocotyledonous and dicotyledons. Some examples of monocotyledons are tulip or gladiolus. And in the case of dicotyledons we have plants such as orange, carob or tobacco plant.
  • He Gymnosperms Group It is where those that produce true flowers are included, but that do not protect their sexual organs. These usually locate the seeds in a wrapping called Samara. This is very light and has a wing shape so that it can be easily dispersed through the natural action of the wind. An example of this type of plants is CRIIS SILIQUASTRUM o Tree of love. Here you can learn more about the difference between angiosperms plants and gymnosperms plants.

To expand more your knowledge on this subject, we encourage you to read these other articles about vascular plants: what are, characteristics and examples and tracheophytes: what are, classification, characteristics and examples.

Difference between vascular and non -vascular plants - What are vascular plants and examples

What are non -vascular plants and examples

Also known as Briophytesnon -vascular plants, in general, are characterized by not having a vascular system, that is, they do not have xylem and phloem. Hence the question arises: How is circulation in non -vascular plants? The answer is simple: non -vascular plants, due to lack of root, stem, leaves and flowers, are a lot more primitive and are formed by simpler structures that are responsible for transporting water through the calls Poiquilohipricos. These absorb water directly from the atmosphere that surrounds the plant while moving it through the body. In fact, due to their reduced size they are one of the most complex botanical groups when studying. That does not mean that you can also find them in almost all parts of the world, from desert areas to the mountain or sea level. Non -vascular plants are divided into three groups: mushrooms, anthorates and hepatic.

  • The mosses They are plants that are characterized by anchoring to the land and supporting other larger plants thanks to the curls; primitive structures typical of the briophytes. Mosses prefer high areas and with a high level of humidity to develop. However, depending on the species they can develop both in the shadow and under sunlight.
  • In the case of Antocetes or antocerosalso known as Hornworts due to their form similar to a horn, they usually grow in wet areas, preferably in the shadow. Antocetes or antoceros are also known as sporophytes.
  • Liver plantsunlike mosses, they do not have structures with which to improve their grip on the field. In fact, liver plants absorb water and nutrients directly from the place where they grow. As a curious fact, this type of non -vascular plants can reach up to 20 cm in diameter and include species capable of developing in more arid areas.

Here you can learn more about non -vascular plants: what are, characteristics and examples.

Difference between vascular and non -vascular plants - What are non -vascular plants and examples

Main differences between vascular and non -vascular plants

What is the difference between vascular and non -vascular plants?

  • The Vascular plants They have Complex conductive and structural fabrics that give the plant a base with which to grow more optimally, while Non -vascular plants They absorb water directly from the atmosphere and They lack these tissues To favor growth, hence its reduced size.
  • Therefore, the biggest difference between vascular and non -vascular plants with the naked eye lies in their appearance. Vascular plants are the only ones that have stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.
  • Vascular plants have as one of their main functions the being food base of most living beings while non -vascular plants are mainly responsible for regulate the level of moisture of the medium where they reside.
  • Vascular plants can reproduce both by seeds As by spores, however, in the case of non -vascular plants these can only be reproduced by spores in favorable conditions.
  • Non -vascular plants do not usually highlight among the rest of the species due to their small size, while vascular plants occur in nature with different shapes, colors and height, they can even exceed 100 meters.

Here you can see, as a summary, a comparative picture between vascular and non -vascular plants.

Difference between vascular and non -vascular plants - main differences between vascular and non -vascular plants

Similarity between vascular and non -vascular plants

What basically have in common the vascular and non -vascular plants is that both need sunlight to carry out the process known as photosynthesisthrough which the plant synthesizes food, such as mineral salts, as well as water and other elements to obtain the necessary energy to grow and reproduce.

Here you can learn more about what photosynthesis, its process and importance is. We also recommend reading this other post about what plants need to live.

If you want to read more articles similar to Difference between vascular and non -vascular plantswe recommend that you enter our biology category.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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