Pteridophyta

A pteridophyte sensu lato is a vascular plant (with xylem and phloem) that reproduces via spores, and therefore was a member of the former and now invalid taxon denominated Pteridophyta; the denomination sensu stricto presently only has informal use to denominate a monilophyte (fern) or lycophyte, or simply and only a monilophyte. Because pteridophytes produce neither flowers or seeds, they are also denominated "cryptogams". The pteridophytes include the ferns, horsetails, and the lycophytes (clubmosses, spikemosses, and quillworts). These are not a monophyletic group because ferns and horsetails are more closely related to seed plants than to the lycophytes. Therefore, "Pteridophyta" is now an invalid taxon.

Pteridophytes consist of two separate classes:

In addition to these living groups, several groups that are now extinct and known only from fossils are considered pteridophytes. These groups include the Rhyniophyta, Zosterophyllophyta, Trimerophytophyta, and the progymnospermprogymnosperms.

Modern studies of the land plants agree that all pteridophytes share a common ancestor, which is also the ancestor of seed plants. Therefore, pteridophytes do not form a clade but a paraphyletic group.

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