Survey of Plant Kingdom 111 



C. Subphylum Pteropsida 



(1) Class Filicinae (ferns) 8,000 



(2) Class Gymnospermae (conifers and allies) 640 



(3) Class Angiospermae (flowering plants) 195,000 



Total 



204,565 



Grand Total 



320,965* 



The plant kingdom (Kingdom Plantae) may be divided into two sub- 

 kingdoms: Thallophyta (tha-lof'ita) (Gr. thallo, sheetlike or "leaf- 

 like"; phyta, plants) and Emhryophyta (em bri -of i ta) (Gr. embryon, 

 embryo; phyta, plants) . The former consists of eight phyla whose repre- 

 sentatives are all rather simply constructed (without true leaves, stems, or 

 roots), and none produce multicellular ^embryos. The Embryophyta are 

 primarily land plants which produce multicellular embryos in a female 

 sex organ. The Embryophyta will be considered later in this chapter. 



SUBKINGDOM THALLOPHYTA 



General Characteristics of Thallophytes 



The thallophytes are simply constructed and are among the oldest of 

 plants. They usually live in water or moist places. They are without 

 true leaves, stems, or roots, although in certain species there may be 

 structures which resemble them in a general way. Some species are 



*Does not include certain groups not being studied. 



