Ferns
Fern are part of the Phylum Tracheophyta, along with clubmosses and horsetails. These vascular plants are plants that have specialized tisses for conducting water, minerals, and photosynthetic products through the plant. Water transport happens in either xylem or phloem. Xylem carries water and inorganic solutes upward toward the leaves from the roots, while phloem carries organic solutes throughout the plant. Some unifying characteristics between tracheophytes include:
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- They are multicellular, photosynthetic, and autotrophic.
- They have vascular tissue.
- Transport water, minerals, and photosynthetic products throughout the plant.
- The Xylem helps the water move from roots to all parts of the plant.
- The phloem transports nutrients and products of photosynthesis.
- Tracheid have special cells that carry water from roots to leaves in the xylem. It has thick, strong cell walls that strengthen stems against the pull of gravity.
- True roots and leaves which have vascular tissue.
- Veins have bundles of vascular tissue found within true leaves.
- Contain a cutide, which is the waxy covering on leaves that prevents water loss by evaporation.
- Their rhizomes are underground stems, often confused for roots.
- Fern leaves, called fronds.
- Water is required for sperm to swim to eggs.