Question

Mention the general characteristics and classifications of Phanerogams (Spermatophyta).

Answer 1

The spermatophytes are also known as phanerogams. These are plants that can undergo sexual reproduction and produce seeds. Hence, they are also called seed plants. The term “Phanerogam” is used to define plants possessing exposed or visible sex organs.

Complete answer:
The general characteristics of Phanerogams are as follows:
i. The plants possess well-differentiated structures such as leaves, roots, and stems as well as structures that bear the seeds.
ii. They are seed-producing plants.
iii. These plants can photosynthesize due to the presence of chlorophyll.
iv. Very well developed vascular tissues such as xylem and phloem are present.
The major classification of phanerogams are:
i. Gymnosperms: They produce naked seeds, which are not enclosed by a fruit. Xylem is devoid of vessels whereas phloem lack companion cells. Cones are the structures bearing the reproductive organs. The various subdivisions present are Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Pinophyta, and Gnetophyta. Examples are Cycas and Pinus.
ii. Angiosperms: They are flowering plants. The seeds produced are covered with the fruit. The fertilization is internal and double fertilization takes place forming the zygote and the endosperm. It consists of dicot and monocot plants depending on the number of cotyledons. The examples of this group are wheat, maize belongs to monocots which possess a single cotyledon, and mango belonging to dicots possessing two cotyledons.

Note: Unlike phanerogams, plants which reproduce by the means of spores are known as cryptogams. These plants do not produce seed as the product of reproduction. Plants such as ferns, algae, and lichens are collectively known as cryptogams.