CHAPTER XXIV 



THALLOPHYTES 



THE Thallophytes are the lowest of the four great divisions 

 of plants. The term means " thallus plants," which are plants 

 with little or no differentiation of vegetative organs ; i.e., there is 

 no definite differentiation into true roots, stems and leaves. 

 However, thallus bodies are found in the other groups of plants. 

 Therefore, the thallus structure does not separate this group of 

 plants definitely from the other groups. The Thallophytes are 

 the lowest and simplest forms of plant life. In order to appre- 

 ciate the evolutionary development of the plant kingdom, it is 

 desirable to begin with these lower forms and follow the origin 

 and development of the organs throughout the higher groups. 

 Our knowledge of this group is not sufficient to enable us to 

 make a very satisfactory classification, but the following is very 

 generally accepted. 



Thallophytes 



1. Algae. (Chlorophyll- 

 bearing plants.) 



I 4 



1. Cyanophyceae. 



(Blue green 



2. Chlorophycese 



(Green algae.) 



3. Phaeophyceae. ) 



(Brown algae.) 

 Rhodophycese. 

 (Red algae.) 



2. Fungi, 

 phyll 

 plants. ) 



( Non-chloro- 

 bearing 



1. Myxomycetes. 



(Slime molds.) 



2. Schizomyces. 



(Bacteria or fission 

 fungi.) 



(Algal fungi.) 



4. Ascomycetes. 



(Sac fungi.) 



5. Basidiomycetes. 



(Basidial fungi.) 



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