Phylum Tracheophyta includes vascular plants such as ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. It contains plants that have true roots, stems, and leaves due to vascular tissue that transports water and nutrients. Within Tracheophyta there are four subphyla: Lycophyta containing club mosses, Sphenophyta containing horsetails, Psilophyta containing whisk ferns, and Pterophyta containing the largest group of ferns. Ferns reproduce both sexually through spores and asexually through rhizomes, with the sporophyte generation being dominant.
4. Ferns
• Well developed vascular
system therefore, TRUE
roots, stems and leaves
• Dominant generation is
the sporophyte
• Gametophyte is small and
independent of
sporophyte
• Needs wet environment –
water so sperm can swim
to egg
5. Ferns continued:
• Reproduction:
– Sexual – spores dispersed by wind and water
– Asexual – rhizome
Fiddlehead = young sporophyte = uncurling frond
6.
7. The Pteridophytes (fern family) probably
evolved from an algae around the same time
as the bryophytes were evolving.
RHYNIARHYNIA:
400 million years ago
The 1st
vascular plant.
9. Subphylum Lycophyta - Club Moss
• Commonly called ground
pines
• Bushy, tree like branches
above, but unbranched at
the base
• Have deep growing root like
rhizomes
• Live in moist woods and
clearings
• Small leaves with single
unbranched vein
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10.
11.
12. Club Moss Spores
• Genus Lycopodium is
homosporous (makes one
type of spore)
• Contains chemicals that
explode and burn quickly
• Yellowish powdery spores
used in fireworks and
explosives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAfT2Uktx4c
Lycopodium
Powder
Fireball:
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13. Other Uses for Club Moss
• Sometimes boiled in water to produce a
medicinal tea or an eye wash
• Ground pines, green all winter, are used in
Christmas decorations
• Ancestors of modern club misses helped form
coal during the carboniferous period
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14. Reproductive
structure
Subphylum Sphenophyta –
Horsetails
• Only one living species (Equisteum)
• Also called scouring rushes
• Hollow, jointed stems contained
silica and were once used to scrub
pots
• Photosynthetic aerial stem
• Underground rhizomes
• In prehistoric times, grew as tall as trees
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16. Uses for Horsetails
• Used to fight plant fungi
• Used in some mouthwashes to cure mouth
ulcers
• Used as diuretics to eliminate excess water
(weight loss products)
• Toxic to animals (sheep, cattle, horses)
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17. Subphylum Psilophyta –
Whisk Ferns• Look like a small, green, twiggy bush
• Have TRUE stems, but no leaves or roots
• Only two living genera
• Rhizomes to anchor (can’t absorb water)
• Reproduce asexually from rhizomes or sexually via
spores produced in Sporangia
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18. Subphylum Pterophyta - Ferns
• Largest group of
extant (living)
vascular plants
• Wide range of
habitats (terrestrial,
aquatic, arboreal tree
ferns, epiphytic)
• Can asexually
reproduce by
rhizomes
19. Subphylum Pterophyta - Ferns
• Dominant
Sporophyte stage has
true roots, stems and
leaves
• Roots and stems
underground
• Leaves called fronds
found above ground
and attached to a
stem like petiole
20.
21.
22. Pterophyta (Fern) Life Cycle
• Newly forming sporophyte fronds called
fiddleheads must uncurl
• Spore cases called sori are found on the
underside of the fronds
• Wind spreads spores that land on moist soil
and germinate into a prothallus
27. Ferns
• The prothallus starts the
gameophyte stage
• Gametophyte is heart
shaped and short lived
• Male antheridia and
female archegonia grow
on the gametophyte
• Sperm swims to egg to
fertilize
30. HOW DO WE USE FERNS?HOW DO WE USE FERNS?
Trim the base of your ferns, leaving only a tiny tail beyond the
circumference of each Fiddlehead. Rub off any remaining furry
brown covering. Rinse under running water. Drop ferns into a
large pot of boiling salted water. Boil for about 5 minutes or
until tender. If undercooked, you will miss the full, rich flavor.
Drain well and serve piping hot with melted butter.
31. Uses for Ferns
• Help prevent erosion
• Fiddleheads are eaten as food
• Ornamental plants for yards and homes
• Helped form coal deposits millions or years
ago
34. ECOLOGICAL ROLE OF FERNSECOLOGICAL ROLE OF FERNS
• Pioneer species: first to establish themselves in areas
with poor soil (little nutrients)
• Once the ferns are established, they improve living
conditions for other species
1. Put nutrients back into the soil
2. Help prevent erosion
Ultimately, they set the stage for their own demise, as other plants andUltimately, they set the stage for their own demise, as other plants and
trees will come in a take over.trees will come in a take over.
35. Questions: Moss vs Ferns
Please answer the following questions and include in
your notes:
1.Look at the life cycle of moss and ferns.
a) Compare the spore-containing structures of both plants.
b) Which stage is dominant in mosses? Ferns?
c) Compare the events that occur just after the spores are
released in mosses and ferns.
d) Compare the way in which the sperm and egg join in
mosses and ferns.
e) Compare the gametophyte and sporophyte of mosses
and ferns.
2.Why are spores important for life on land?
36. Answers: Moss vs Ferns
a) Ferns have a cluster of sporangia whereas moss have single
sporangium.
b) Dominant stage in moss is the gametophyte whereas it is the
sporophyte in ferns.
c) Spores are dispersed by wind or water and germinate into a
gametophyte.
d) Moss and ferns need to utilize water so sperm can swim to
join egg.
e) In moss, the gametophyte is dominant (not the sporophyte)
and in ferns the sporophyte is dominant (not the
gametophyte).
2. Spores are important for life on land because they allow for
dispersal of plants, protect baby plants from drying out until
conditions are good for it to grow.
Editor's Notes
Gametophyte – 1 cell thick, non-vascular and heart shaped
Rhizome is an underground stem (vascular).
Asexual repro - fiddlehead
In ferns, the sporophyte was the dominant life form.
Vegetative form: looks like a horsetail
The one on the right is extinct.
Fern
Tree fern
Floating ferns
Fiddlehead (sporophyte) contains spores. Grows into fern frond with sporangia.
Haploid gametophytes grow from spores (male and female ones)
Sporophyte grows out of gametophyte and turns into a fiddle head
Prothallus means before twig and is the gametophyte stage
Because Fiddlehead ferns are delicious, with a remarkable wild flavor . The flavor? It has been described as similar to green beans with a hint of artichoke. But descriptions do not begin to capture the flavor. You must try them to know the wonderful flavor and delightful crunch of Fiddleheads.
Ferns should be picked early in the morning when they are still very young and fresh. The "crosier" should be tightly curled, and should snap off crisply. They must be washed carefully and rubbed to remove the paper-y brown skin on the outside. Avoid yellow or "floppy" ferns. Trim the base leaving a tiny tail.
Exercise caution if you decide to harvest Fiddleheads yourself. There are many varieties of ferns, and only the Ostrich Fern is recommended for consumption.
The flavor of fiddleheads goes well with cheeses, tomato sauce and oriental cuisine. Excellent with Hollandaise sauce.
Fiddleheads are excellent marinated in vinegar and oil or as a crunchy pickle. Fiddleheads can be used in similar ways to any firm green vegetable such as Asparagus or Broccoli florets.
Do not overcook.
Fiddlehead ferns are a good source of vitamins A and C. Fiddleheads should not be served raw as they have a slight bitterness until cooked and may cause stomach upset if eaten raw in quantity. Health Canada advises that fresh fiddleheads must be properly cooked before being consumed.
