Higher Plants

Plants are organisms that are capable of photosynthesis, using light to produce nutrients. There is a huge variety of plants in the world, which can be divided into several categories depending on their characteristics. One of these categories is higher plants.

Higher plants are plants that have a vascular system that allows them to transport water and nutrients throughout the body. Higher plants include all flowering plants, such as trees, shrubs, herbs, and ferns.

Vascular plants have two main types of organs: roots and stems. The roots are immersed in the soil and serve to absorb water and minerals necessary for plant life. Stems are the main supporting organ of a plant and also serve to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

However, in addition to higher plants, there are also mosses that do not have a vascular system. They obtain water and nutrients directly from their environment and do not have true roots or stems. Instead, mosses have rhizoids that serve to attach to surfaces and absorb water and minerals.

Both vascular plants and mosses have a sporophytic stage in their development cycle. At this stage there is an embryo that develops into a spore-bearing capsule in which spores are formed. The spores fall out of the capsule onto the ground and further develop into the gametophytic stage, which maintains the life cycle of the plant.

Overall, higher plants are amazing organisms that not only provide a source of food for many animals, but also play an important role in the ecosystems of our planet. They allow us to breathe oxygen, act as water filters, and are also a source of many medications.