Tracheophytes: What are, classification, characteristics and examples

Tracheophytes: What are, classification, characteristics and examples

By Dr. Kyle Muller

The First vascular plants o Tracheophytes appeared on Earth more than 400 million years ago, between the siluric and devonic period. These represent a large number of species, almost more than 350,000, and are also among which are the most varied appearance. Tracheophyte plants, also known as Cormophytesthey are plants that have been able to adapt to the different habitats of our planet thanks to a slow evolution that has endowed them with special and completely representative characteristics. Moreover, tracheophytes are of vital importance for human life due to its multiple industrial uses and its valuable energy value. In fact, they are also used in medicine or as ornamental plants.

Although the group is broad, in ecology Verde, we want you to learn a little more about them in a useful and simple way thanks to this brief and interesting article. The idea is to know even better the plants that are usually closer to us, such as those of our home or nearby parks. It is never a bad time to learn a little more about the basis of basic botany so … Do you feel like taking a look? So, keep reading and know What are tracheophytes, their classification, their characteristics and examples.

What are tracheophytes

The tracheophytes, vascular or Cormophytes They are those that have specific vegetative tissues for the conduct of mineral substances, water and other nutrients necessary for its survival and development. That is, vascular or tracheophytes are those that have Xilema and Floema.

Tracheophytes: What are, classification, characteristics and examples - What are tracheophytes

Tracheophyte classification

The evolution of tracheophytes has generated several taxonomic categories. In fact, there are multiple classifications of these depending on the author, since a true consensus has not yet been reached. The number of these is so wide, more than three hundred thousand species, that to simplify it a little we have chosen to make the following division:

  • PSILOPSID: those most primitive tracheophytes. At present there are only 3 species within this category.
  • Lycopsida: This group consists of more than 1000 species, very old that proceed almost completely to the division of Lycophytas. Here you can learn more about lycopodians: what are, characteristics and examples.
  • Sphenopsid: Formed by the equisets, plants with a strong rhizome that were born in thousands of years ago and that achieve a maximum of two meters high and with medical properties.
  • Pateropsid: They are the widest group of the entire plant kingdom. This is divided into three main branches.

Poteropsid traquophytes

  • FILICINES: Plants with more developed leaves than the stem and do not have knots or between knots. This group belongs more than ten thousand species, where several species of ferns and other leafy species typical of tropical climates are found.
  • Gymnosperms: Commonly known as conifers are plants that have flowers, but not with fruit. This false fruit is a method achieved by evolution to protect the seed until it is can produce a new plant. Here we will find trees and shrubs such as juniper, cypress or pine. In this other article you can discover more about gymnosperms plants: what are, characteristics and examples.
  • Angiosperms: also known as flowers with flowers that are characterized by having clearly differentiated tissues and organs. Within this group we will find herbaceous, shrub and tree plants. Another characteristic feature is how tracheophytes that are part of this group are reproduced. The reproduction of the tracheophytes of this group is given thanks to the flower, which has a male and female part, the fertilization of the ovule that will give as the fruit of its union to the seed is achieved. These are in turn divided into dicotyledons, with two cotyledons that grow on both sides of the embryo and the monocotyledons that have a single embryonic sheet. In this link you will see more about angiosperms plants: what are, characteristics and examples.

Characteristics of tracheophytes

These are the main characteristics of tracheophytes:

  • The main feature of tracheophytes plants is that they have vascular tissue. Thanks to this, the plant is able to transport water and mineral salts by mediating the xylem and the phloem to obtain and produce its own food; basic for its development and growth.
  • In the same way, they are characterized by a more complex structure than those belonging to other groups of less evolved plants. In fact, its morphology is much more uniform always presenting a raticular system, stem and leaves in a visible and orderly way.
  • Thanks to their structure and morphology these plants manage to reach a greater height and get a better bearing than the rest. These start from the simplest herbรกceas, to high trees.
  • The plants belonging to the tracheophytes group also have leaves of two types: microphiles, macrophils and megaphils. These go from lower to greater degree of evolution.
  • The tracheophytes have managed to adapt to the different geographical areas of the planet. From aquatic habitats to land.

Examples of tracheophyte plants

These are some Examples of tracheophyte plants species:

  • Arvense Equisetum or Horse Tail
  • Asparagus setaceus or feathery fern
  • Humilis or palm shawerps
  • Phoenix canariensis or Canarian palm tree
  • Ceiba Speciosa or Palo drunk
  • Ceratonia Siliqua or Algarrobo
  • Fraxinus Excelsior or Fresno
  • Pinus pinea or pine pine
  • CupPressus Sempervirens or Ciprรฉs
  • CYCAS REVOLUTA O CYCA
  • Ginkgo Biloba or Ginkgo
  • Ficus Carica or Higuera
  • Galdiolus sp. or gladiolo
  • Tulip agenensis or wild tulip
  • American Persea or avocado
  • Nicotiana Tabacum or Tobacco
  • Toxicodendron Radicans or poisonous ivy
  • Paradisiac or banana muse
  • Citrullus Lanatus or watermelon

Tracheophytes: What are, classification, characteristics and examples - examples of tracheophytes plants

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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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