Despite the appearance of these curious plants, lycopodians are not non -vascular plants. However, there are many who see their almost prehistoric appearance think of the origin and evolution of plants and ask themselves: when did lycopodes appear? And yes, it is true that due to their morphology and coloration we easily relate these plants to the first periods of life on earth. Specifically, it is known that there were lycope forests about 400 million years ago.
Do you feel like knowing a little more about these curious plants? Well, we invite you to accompany us in this simple Ecology Verde article, where you can discover some of its main characteristics so that you learn to recognize them as they are, very unique plants that we must protect by and for the following generations. Keep reading and discover which are lycopodes, their characteristics and examples of species.
What are lycopodios
The Lycopodium or lycopodes are Vascular plants belonging to the Pteridophyta or pteridophyte plants. The plants belonging to this classification are mainly characterized by presenting sporophiles: leaves with a unique structure that They produce spores For the Lycopodic reproduction. The sexual reproduction of these plants depends on water. We recommend you learn more by consulting this other article on the reproduction of plants.
In addition, gender Lycopodium, of the family Lycopodiaceae, It is composed of More than 40 species distributed throughout the planet. He Lycopodian habitat It is quite wide: from large cities to small and dense forests. These plants do not require very specific care, they only need a humid place, with a lot of shadow and a rich floor.
In general, lycopodians have creeping or erect stems. In addition, these have dichotomous branch and vascular tissue in the center of it. In the case of small leaves, they are placed in different shapes on stem. It is also important to know that several species of lycopodians have medicinal properties ranging from relief and burning healing to use against the appearance and elimination of renal calculations.
Characteristics of lycopodians
These are the main characteristics of lycopodians:
- The lycopodians are one of the oldest vascular plants on our planet.
- One of its main characteristics is that they have tracheidas, which they use for water conduction. This is one of the most primitive vascular systems that are still preserved in our days within the plant kingdom.
- They can reach up to 30 cm high and are considered mostly herbaceous, although there are species of a shrub type, climbing and even creeping.
- The leaves of the lycopodians, less than a 1 cm long and oval shaped, are characterized by being of a microphile type. These are small sheets that have vascular system, xylem and floe, which does not come to branch.
- The roots branch dichotomously and are adventitious (they do not originate from the embryo). In plants that are erect, they originate at the apex of the stem and grow until they emerge at the base. Rooting roots occur directly to the base of the stem.
- The spores that produce lycopodes are small and with the cell wall very thin. In addition, they are usually yellowish due to the low presence of chlorophyll.
- These plants are generally found in both temperate and tropical areas. Although it is also not unreasonable to find them alpine areas both north and in the south of the planet and even in some mountainous areas of the tropics.
- Other of the most representative characteristics of lycopodians are that they are homosporic. This means that their sexual spores do not differ morphologically.
- For reproduction, spores of lycopodians must remain a year of rest and have the presence of a fungus for their future development. In fact, the fungus must be infected by Gametophyte himself. This process can last up to 15 years.
Examples of lycopodians
To finish discovering this type of old plants, we offer you a List of examples of lycopodia species:
Lycopodium clavatum
This kind of lycopodio is found in Spain and can be found in cities easily. Hence it is known as one of the most cosmopolitan species within its kind.
Lycopodiella Cernua
It is one of the best known lycope species and is originally from Puerto Rico. It is also typical of other areas close to the tropics and is widely distributed throughout the planet both on the island and in average land elevations. However, he prefers wet forests
Lycopodium dark
This lycopodium is a native species of the United States. It is easy to find in the tempered forests, especially those of conifers and other deciduous trees, which are located by the east of the country.
Lycopodium annotinum
This species is one of the herbaceous type lycopodes that is usually found relative ease in coniferous forests located in the northern hemisphere of the planet.
Selaginella Apoda
Finally, this Licófita also native plant in the eastern part of the United States and northwest Mexico, is another of the most representative and easy to observe lycopodes in the American continent.
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