University of Zakho

Faculty of Science
Department of Biology

Kingdom Plantae

Prepared by: Supervised by:

Yosra Mehvan Raof Dr. Raad Osman Ramadhan

2021-2022
Contents

Introduction...............................................................................................1
Definition..................................................................................................2
Characteristics...........................................................................................2
Basis of Classification..............................................................................3
Kingdom Plantae Classification................................................................3
Subkingdom Cryptogamae.......................................................................4
Division Thallophyta................................................................................5
Division Bryophyta...................................................................................5
Division Pteridophyta...............................................................................6
Subkingdom Phanerogamae.....................................................................6
Examples of Kingdom Plantae.................................................................8
Importance..............................................................................................10
Summary.................................................................................................11
References...............................................................................................12

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Table of Figures
Figure 1: Classification of Kingdom plantae……………………..3
Figure 2: Cryptogams…………………………………………… 4
Figure 3: Phanerogams …………………………………………..6
Figure 4: Chlamydomonas ……………………………………….8
Figure 5: Marchantia ……………………………………………..8
Figure 6: Equisetum ………………………………………………9
Figure 7: Pinus ……………………………………………………9

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Introduction
Various types of plants surround us. Each plant can be distinguished by its leaves,
stems, flowers, and fruits. They grow in different habitats. Do you know why they
do not look similar? There are many plants on this earth, and they have different
morphological and anatomical features and different reproductive processes.
The classification of all plants in Kingdom Plantae is done according to their
characteristics. Kingdom Plantae is a vast group in which plants are classified into
subgroups. It is essential to know about plants and their functions and
characteristics. Read on to know more about Kingdom Plantae.

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Definition
All plants on this earth belong to Kingdom Plantae. Kingdom Plantae is a group
that includes multicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes. These are mainly non-
motile, embryo forming, and function primarily as the producers in the ecosystem
because they can fix solar energy in chemical energy through photosynthesis. They
have a rigid cell wall mainly made up of cellulose.

Characteristics
The few characteristics of Kingdom Plantae are given below:
1. Plants are essentially autotrophic, chlorophyll-containing, non-motile
organisms.
2. They are multicellular eukaryotic organisms.
3. They have a cell wall in their cells, made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and
pectin.
4. They occupy the base of the ecological pyramid and are called producers.
5. They do not move from one place to another, i.e., fixed in one place.
6. They reproduce by vegetative, sexual, and asexual methods.
7. They show alternation of generation.

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Basis of Classification
Taxonomy is the system of classification. To study the different organisms living
on earth, biologists have sorted and classified them based on their similarities and
differences. All plants are, however, included in one Kingdom Plantae and is
further divided into sub-groups. The classification of plants is based on a few
criteria. These are:
(a) Plant Body- Presence or absence of a well-differentiated root, stem, and leaves.
(b) Vascular System- Presence or absence of vascular tissues like xylem and
phloem to transport water and other substances.
(c) Seed Development- Presence or absence of flowers and seeds. The seeds are
naked or enclosed in a fruit.

Kingdom Plantae Classification

Figure 1: Classification of Kingdom plantae

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Subkingdom Cryptogamae
(i) Cryptogams consist of seedless plants and plant-like organisms.
(ii) Cryptogams do not form flowers and fruits as well.
(iii) Most cryptogams do not have a vascular system.
(iv) The plant body is not differentiated into root, stem, and leaves.
(v) They are less evolved plants.
(vi) They can reproduce by spores.
(vii) Cryptogams can be divided into Thallophyta, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta.

Figure 2: Cryptogams

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Division Thallophyta
These plants exhibit the following characteristics:
(i) Thallophytes are eukaryotic, autotrophic (holophytic), chlorophyll-containing,
non-vascular plants.
(ii) The plant body is thalloid. The plant body is without stem, leaf, root
differentiation.
(iii) These are the most primitive and simple forms.
(iv) These are mainly present in both marine and freshwater habitats.
(v) The leading reserve food is starch.
(vi) These are characterised by the absence of the embryonic stage and the
presence of non-jacketed gametangia.

Division Bryophyta
They are known as the amphibians of the plant kingdom. They exhibit the
following characteristics:
(i) Bryophytes are autotrophic, non-seeded, cryptogamic plants.
(ii) The plant body is gametophytic and may be divided into stem, leaves, and
rhizoids.
(iii) These are the connecting link between algae and pteridophytes.
(iv) These are mainly present in moist, damp, shaded areas in hills or water bodies.
(v) They do not possess proper vascular tissues, but some of them have hydroids
(like xylem) and leptoids (like phloem) which help in the conduction of water and
food, respectively.
(vi) The sex organs in bryophytes are multicellular. The male sex organ is called
antheridium, and the female sex organ is called archegonium.

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Division Pteridophyta
They are known as the first true land plants. They exhibit the following
characteristics:
(i) Pteridophytes are seedless, vascular cryptogams.
(ii) The plant body is sporophyte and divided into stem, leaves, and roots.
(iii) These are the first plants to evolve vascular tissues.
(iv) These are mostly found in cool, damp, and shady places.
(v) They possess compound leaves with leaflets known as the pinna.
(vi) They show heterospory, which gives rise to seed habit in higher plants.

Subkingdom Phanerogamae
(i) Phanerogams consist of seeded plants.
(ii) Phanerogams form flowers and fruits as well.
(iii) Phanerogams have well-developed vascular systems.
(iv) The plant body is differentiated into root, stem, and leaves.
(v) They are highly evolved plants.
(vi) They have well-developed reproductive organs.
(vii) Phanerogams can be divided into Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.

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 Figure 3: Phanerogams
(a) Gymnosperms
They are also known as Phanerogamic Spermatophyta (seed-bearing). They
exhibit the following characteristics:
(i) Gymnosperms are naked seeded plants, which evolved earlier than the
flowering plants.
(ii) The plant body is sporophyte and differentiated into root, stem, and leaves.
(iii) They include medium-sized trees or tall trees and shrubs.
(iv) The pollens are always carried by wind (Anemophily).
(v) Mostly, all gymnosperms are heterosporous, producing microspores (male
spores) and megaspores (female spores).
(vi)  The gymnosperms show an alternation of generation in their life cycle with
a diplontic life cycle.
(b) Angiosperms
They are also known as flowering plants. They exhibit the following
characteristics:
(i) Angiosperms are seed-bearing plants.
(ii) The plant body is divided into the root system, shoot system, and leaves.
(iii) They can be found in different types of habitats.
(iv) The seeds are enclosed in an ovary which develops into a fruit.
(v) They show double fertilisation.
(vi) They are further divided into monocots and dicots depending on the number
of cotyledons present in seeds.

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Examples of Kingdom Plantae
Cryptogamae
Examples of Thallophytes :
Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, Spirogyra, Zygnema, Ulothrix, Cladophora, etc.

Figure 4: Chlamydomonas
Examples of Bryophytes: Riccia, Marchantia, Porella, Funaria, Sphagnum,
Polytrichum, etc.

Figure 5: Marchantia

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Examples of Pteridophytes: Psilotum, Rhynia (fossil), Lycopodium, Selaginella,
Equisetum, Pteris, Dryopteris, Nephrolepis, Adiantum, etc.

Figure 6: Equisetum
Phanerogamae
Examples of Gymnosperms: Cycas, Pinus, Ginkgo, Gnetum, Ephedra, Juniperus,
etc.

Figure 7: Pinus

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Importance
The importance of Kingdom Plantae is mentioned below:
1. Plants provide food to nearly all organisms, including humans. All cereals,
roots, pulses, vegetable crops, etc., we get from plants. We are directly or
indirectly dependent on plants.
2. Plants play a significant role in maintaining the atmosphere.
3. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis, which is very important for
cellular respiration for all aerobic organisms.
4. Plants help in removing the greenhouse effect and global warming.
5. Plants play a significant role in the recycling of matter in biogeochemical
cycles.
6. Plants provide many products for human use, such
as firewood, timber, fibres, medicines, dyes, pesticides, oils, and rubber.
7. Plants provide habitats for many organisms. A single tree may provide food and
shelter to many insects, worms, small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
8. Plant products like Aloe vera, lavender oil, rosemary, etc., helps to
prepare cosmetics.
9. Plants form the base of all terrestrial food chains.
10. Some plants provide liquid hydrocarbons as a substitute for liquid fuels. The
hydrocarbons that are present in these plants can be transformed into petroleum
hydrocarbons. These plants are known as petroplants. These include the
members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Apocyanaceae, Urticaceae etc. In
India, Jatropha oil can be used as an efficient and environmentally
clean biofuel substitute for diesel.
11. Lichen is a symbiotic association of an alga and a fungus that acts as
a bioindicator for air pollution.

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Summary
Plantae kingdom is the group of all plants that are found on the earth. Further, the
kingdom Plantae has been classified into several subgroups based on the plant
body, vascular system, and seed development. These groups are Thallophyta,
Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Angiosperms, and Gymnosperms. The plants belonging
to these groups have some differences as well as have few similarities also.
The main aim of classification was to identify, name, and understand the
relationship among these plants. Though the Plantae kingdom is not the largest, it
is an essential one. Plants produce almost all the oxygen on earth. Plants also have
ecological and economic importance. It brings stability to the ecosystem and plays
a vital role in providing food for animals and humankind. Additionally, they
provide clothing, timber, medicines, etc.

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References
1. Cavalier-Smith, T. (1981). "Eukaryote kingdoms: Seven or nine?"
2. Kenrick, Paul; Crane, Peter R. (2003). The origin and early diversification of
land plants: A cladistic study. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Press.
3. Whittaker, R.H. (1969). "New concepts of kingdoms or organisms
4. Margulis, L (1971). "Whittaker's five kingdoms of organisms: minor revisions
suggested by considerations of the origin of mitosis"
5. "plant – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Archived
from the original on 19 September 2011.

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