Division Pteridophyta

Pteridophytes, commonly called ferns or fern allies, are vascular plants and have leaves (known as fronds), roots and sometimes true stems.

Pteridophytes are classified into ferns and club mosses.

Habitat: Damp terrestrial habitats.

Characteristics of Pteridophyta:

1. They have a vascular system for the conduction of water and other substances.

2. They do not bear seeds instead they bear spores.

3. The stem of a fern is a rhizome with long leaves.

4. Fern shows alternation of generation (gametophyte and sporophyte). The mature leaves or fronds of the fern plant (sporophyte stage) bear spores on their underside. The spores mature into young gametophytes which bear the sex organs that contain the eggs and a new sporophyte or document fern plant