Delving into the kingdom Plantae reveals a staggering 382,000 species, from microscopic algae to the towering Sequoia sempervirens. This overview covers plant diversity, including bryophytes, pteridophytes, and the prolific angiosperms, as well as the evolutionary journey from aquatic ancestors to complex terrestrial flora. Phylogenetic relationships highlight the progression from algal progenitors to the rich array of plant life we see today.
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The kingdom Plantae encompasses a vast array of approximately 382,000 scientifically accepted species
Seed-bearing plants
Spermatophytes, a dominant subset of the kingdom Plantae, account for approximately 283,000 species
Plant life forms range from microscopic unicellular desmids to majestic coast redwoods
The plant kingdom showcases a broad array of life forms, from unicellular algae to complex, multicellular entities
Green algae, including chlorophytes and charophytes, are believed to have between 3,800 and 6,000 species
Non-vascular plants, such as bryophytes, contribute an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 species to the plant kingdom
The earliest terrestrial plants resembling modern-day bryophytes emerged around 450 million years ago
The diversification of primitive land plants occurred in the late Silurian period, approximately 420 million years ago
The Carboniferous period saw the advent of the first gymnosperms, such as conifers and cycads
Algal ancestors, specifically chlorophyte and streptophyte algae, are considered to be paraphyletic groups
Recent phylogenetic research has reinforced the classification of bryophytes
The phylogenetic tree of plants delineates the evolution from early algal progenitors to the diverse spectrum of terrestrial plants
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Total number of scientifically accepted plant species
Approximately 382,000 species.
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Dominant subset of plants and species count
Spermatophytes, with about 283,000 species.
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Size range of Plantae kingdom members
From unicellular desmids (10 micrometers) to coast redwood trees (380 feet).
