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Pteridophyte


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 progymnosperms.


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