Directory of Psilotophyta Resources

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Also called the whisk ferns, these are the simplest of the vascular plants. The division of consists of two genera, Psilotum and Tmesipteris. As with angiosperms, plants of the Psilotophyta have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem), however, they are characterised by the lack of roots, and sometimes the lack of leaves. The plants consist of a small, underground, gametophyte, which lacks chlorophyll and has associations with mycorrhizal fungi. The have a life cycle similar to that of ferns, with motile sperm and a self-sustaining, photosynthetic sporophyte.

Subcategories

• Psilotum
• Tmesipteris

Resources in This Category

• Classification of Psilotophyta

  http://sn2000.taxonomy.nl/Main/Classification/95997.htm
  Main entry in Systema Naturae 2000.

• Fork Ferns

  http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/plants/forkferns/forkferns.htm
  Illustrated introduction to the five species of Psilotaceae found in New Zealand.

• Introduction to the Psilotales

  http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/plants/pterophyta/psilotales.html
  Includes descriptions of morphology and life history.

• Psilotaceae

  http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/psilot.htm
  Division/family description and thumbnail links to images of two species of Psilotum from Hawaii.

Related Categories

• Home > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Plantae > Pteridophyta

 

Home > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Plantae > Psilotophyta

 

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