Classification of Plants
By Home Academy – General Science Biology Notes (Examination Focused)
Plant classification is the systematic arrangement of plants into groups and sub-groups based on similarities and differences in their structure, reproduction, and life cycle.
The main purpose is to study plant diversity easily and scientifically.
Broad Classification of Plant Kingdom
| Major Group | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Cryptogams | Non-flowering, seedless plants |
| Phanerogams | Flowering, seed-bearing plants |
I. Cryptogams (Hidden Reproductive Organs)
These plants do not produce flowers or seeds. They reproduce through spores.
Sub-groups of Cryptogams
| Group | Body Structure | Vascular Tissue | Reproduction | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thallophyta | Thallus body (no root, stem, leaf) | Absent | Spores | Algae, Spirogyra |
| Bryophyta | Root-like, stem-like, leaf-like | Absent | Spores | Moss, Liverwort |
| Pteridophyta | True root, stem, leaves | Present | Spores | Ferns, Horsetail |
1. Thallophyta
Simplest plants with an undifferentiated body.
Important Points
Body called thallus
Mostly aquaticNo vascular tissues
Reproduce by asexual spores
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Aquatic / Moist |
| Chlorophyll | Present |
| Examples | Algae, Spirogyra, Chlamydomonas |
2. Bryophyta (Amphibians of Plant Kingdom)
They live on land but need water for reproduction.
Important Points
No true roots (have rhizoids)
Non-vascularDominant gametophyte stage
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Vascular tissue | Absent |
| Reproduction | Spores |
| Examples | Funaria (moss), Marchantia |
3. Pteridophyta
First plants with vascular tissues.
Important Points
Have xylem and phloem
No seedsSporophyte is dominant
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Roots | True roots |
| Leaves | True leaves |
| Examples | Ferns, Lycopodium |
II. Phanerogams (Visible Reproductive Organs)
These plants produce flowers and seeds.
Sub-groups of Phanerogams
| Group | Seed Covering | Cotyledons | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gymnosperms | Naked seeds | Usually two | Cycas, Pine |
| Angiosperms | Seeds inside fruit | One or two | Mango, Wheat |
4. Gymnosperms
Plants with naked seeds, not enclosed in fruits.
Important Points
Mostly evergreen trees
No fruitsSeeds borne on cones
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Seed | Naked |
| Leaves | Needle-like |
| Examples | Cycas, Pinus |
5. Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Most advanced group of plants.
Important Points
Flowers present
Seeds enclosed in fruitsDouble fertilization occurs
Classification of Angiosperms
| Type | Cotyledons | Leaf Venation | Root System | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monocot | One | Parallel | Fibrous | Rice, Wheat |
| Dicot | Two | Reticulate | Tap root | Mango, Pea |
Comparison Table (Very Important for Exams)
| Feature | Cryptogams | Phanerogams |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Absent | Present |
| Seeds | Absent | Present |
| Reproduction | Spores | Seeds |
| Examples | Fern, Moss | Mango, Wheat |
One-Line Exam Facts ⭐
Bryophytes are called amphibians of plant kingdom
Pteridophytes are the first vascular plantsGymnosperms have naked seeds
Angiosperms show double fertilization
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Frequently Asked Exam Questions (Trend)
Which plants are non-vascular? → Bryophyta
First vascular plants? → Pteridophyta
Plants with naked seeds? → Gymnosperms
Monocot example? → Wheat
Amphibians of plant kingdom? → Bryophyta
MCQ QUESTION For Practice
1. Plants which do not produce seeds and flowers are called
A. Phanerogams
B. Angiosperms
C. Cryptogams
D. Gymnosperms
Answer: C
2. The plant body of algae is known as
A. Sporophyte
B. Thallus
C. Rhizoid
D. Gametophyte
Answer: B
3. Bryophytes are called amphibians of plant kingdom because
A. They grow in water only
B. They grow on land but need water for reproduction
C. They have vascular tissues
D. They produce seeds
Answer: B
4. Which of the following is the first vascular plant group?
A. Thallophyta
B. Bryophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Gymnosperms
Answer: C
5. In which group of plants true roots, stems and leaves are present but seeds are absent?
A. Bryophyta
B. Thallophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Angiosperms
Answer: C
6. Gymnosperms are characterised by
A. Seeds enclosed in fruits
B. Naked seeds
C. Absence of seeds
D. Presence of flowers
Answer: B
7. Which of the following is an example of gymnosperm?
A. Mango
B. Wheat
C. Pinus
D. Pea
Answer: C
8. Double fertilization is a characteristic feature of
A. Bryophyta
B. Pteridophyta
C. Gymnosperms
D. Angiosperms
Answer: D
9. Which of the following plants shows parallel venation in leaves?
A. Pea
B. Mustard
C. Wheat
D. Mango
Answer: C
10. Tap root system is found in
A. Monocot plants
B. Dicot plants
C. Bryophytes
D. Pteridophytes
Answer: B
11. Rhizoids are found in
A. Thallophyta and Bryophyta
B. Bryophyta only
C. Pteridophyta only
D. Angiosperms
Answer: A
12. Which group of plants reproduces through spores only?
A. Angiosperms
B. Gymnosperms
C. Cryptogams
D. Phanerogams
Answer: C
13. Which of the following is a dicot plant?
A. Rice
B. Maize
C. Wheat
D. Pea
Answer: D
14. Seeds are enclosed inside fruits in
A. Gymnosperms
B. Pteridophyta
C. Angiosperms
D. Bryophyta
Answer: C
15. Which plant group shows dominant sporophyte generation?
A. Bryophyta
B. Thallophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Algae
Answer: C
📘PYQ question based on Competitive examination
1. Plants which do not bear flowers and seeds are called
A. Phanerogams
B. Angiosperms
C. Cryptogams
D. Gymnosperms
Answer: C
Exam: SSC CGL 2019
2. The plant body of algae is known as
A. Thallus
B. Sporophyte
C. Gametophyte
D. Rhizoid
Answer: A
Exam: CTET 2020
3. Bryophytes are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because
A. They grow only in water
B. They grow on land but require water for reproduction
C. They possess vascular tissue
D. They reproduce by seeds
Answer: B
Exam: NEET 2018
4. Which group of plants was the first to develop vascular tissues?
A. Thallophyta
B. Bryophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Angiosperms
Answer: C
Exam: SSC CHSL 2021
5. In which group of plants are true roots, stems and leaves present but seeds are absent?
A. Bryophyta
B. Thallophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Gymnosperms
Answer: C
Exam: RRB NTPC 2020
6. Seeds are naked in
A. Angiosperms
B. Bryophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Gymnosperms
Answer: D
Exam: SSC CPO 2019
7. Double fertilization is a characteristic feature of
A. Gymnosperms
B. Bryophyta
C. Angiosperms
D. Pteridophyta
Answer: C
Exam: NEET 2020
8. Parallel venation in leaves is found in
A. Pea
B. Mustard
C. Mango
D. Wheat
Answer: D
Exam: CTET 2019
9. Tap root system is characteristic of
A. Monocot plants
B. Dicot plants
C. Bryophytes
D. Pteridophytes
Answer: B
Exam: SSC GD 2021
10. Which of the following is a gymnosperm?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Pinus
D. Pea
Answer: C
Exam: JKSSB 2022
11. Rhizoids are present in
A. Algae only
B. Bryophyta only
C. Thallophyta and Bryophyta
D. Angiosperms
Answer: C
Exam: UGC NET 2019
12. Which group of plants reproduces by spores?
A. Angiosperms
B. Gymnosperms
C. Cryptogams
D. Phanerogams
Answer: C
Exam: SSC MTS 2020
13. Which plant group shows dominant sporophyte generation?
A. Bryophyta
B. Algae
C. Pteridophyta
D. Thallophyta
Answer: C
Exam: NEET 2017
14. Number of cotyledons in dicot seed is
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B
Exam: SSC CHSL 2018
15. Seeds enclosed inside fruit are found in
A. Gymnosperms
B. Bryophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Angiosperms
Answer: D
Exam: RRB Group D 2019
