PTERIDOPHYTA

 

• The Pteridophytes are the spore bearing vascular plants.
• The main independent plant body of pteridophytes is sporophte which is Differentiated into true root, stem and leaves.
• The primary root is short lived.
• All the vegetative parts possess vascular tissues.
• The sporophytic plant reproduces by means of spores that are produced sporangia.
• Leaves bearing the sporangia are called sporophylls.
• The gametophyte bears the sex organs, the antheridia and archegonia.
• Fertilization occurs by mean of water in all cases.  

Heterospory and Seed Habit in Pteridophytes

The occurrence of two kinds of spores in the same plant is called heterospory.  Seed may be defined as a fertilized ovule with protective integuments.Here seed offers full protection and parental care to the developing embryo.Heterospory is the antecedent (EARLIER IN TIME) of seed habit.