Non-Flowering Plant

Plants are divided into flowering plants and non-flowering plants based on seed production. Plants that do not produce seeds, flowers, or fruits are termed as Non-flowering plants. Some common examples of these plants are mosses, ferns, fungi, liverworts, etc. In this blog, we will learn more about non-flowering plants and their characteristics.

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Plants that don’t make flowers are things like ferns, clubmosses, horsetails, mosses, lichens, and fungi. They make spores instead of seeds, which sets them apart from plants that do make flowers and seeds.

What is a Non-Flowering plant?

A Non-Flowering plant that does not produce any fruit, flower, or seed. They are broadly classified into two categories, i.e., cryptogams and gymnosperms. Reproduction in such plants mostly happens through spores; however, some non-flowering plants reproduce through seeds. Cryptogams are a group of plants without any specialized reproductive organs called spores. Gymnosperms are non-flowering plants that contain naked seeds, which are not enclosed within an ovary.

What Non-Flowering plant includes?

Non-flowering plants include spore-bearing and seed-bearing plants. The spore-bearing non-flowering plants include ferns, fungi, horsetails, mosses, lichens, and club mosses. Gymnosperms, or seed-bearing non-flowering plants, include conifers, cycads, ginkgo, and gnetophytes.

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Spore bearing

Spore-bearing plants are non-flowering plants that reproduce through spores. Spores are tiny, ball-like structures containing single cells. This is an asexual mode of reproduction in which a single cell is surrounded by a hard protective layer that is released when favorable conditions arrive. Based on roots, these plants are further divided into mosses and ferns.

• Mosses

Mosses are tiny and spongy plants that grow in groups. They do not have true roots, flowers, or seeds and reproduce through spores. They bind themselves to the rocks present in the soil with the help of Rhizoids and grow there. Mosses can adapt to extreme environments, as they can grow from snowy regions to extremely hot deserts.

• Ferns

Ferns are a group of plants that do not possess any flowers. Like every non-flowering plant, ferns also reproduce through spores. However, they have stems, flowers, and real roots, unlike mosses.

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Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are seed-producing non-flowering plants. They have naked seeds, which help in the reproduction process. Since they do not produce any flowers or fruit, they are classified as non-flowering plants.

• Conifers

Conifers are non-flowering plants that have needle-like leaves to prevent water loss. Most of the conifers are evergreen. They bear cones, which are the reproductive structures in conifer plants. These cones are divided into two types, i.e., male cones and female cones. Some examples of conifers are pine, thuja, cedars, and fir.

• Cycads

Cycads are a group of plants belonging to the gymnosperm family. They have a woody trunk and large leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. The seeds of cycads are exposed and not bound within a fruit. Some examples of cycads are sago palms, cardboard palms, Japanese cycads, etc.

Characteristics of Non-Flowering Plants

Here are some major characteristics of Non-Flowering plants,

• Non-flowering plants do not have true flowers and seeds.
• Gymnosperms, which produce seeds, are not enclosed within fruits and are naked seeds.
• Reproduction in non-flowering plants takes place through specialized structures like spores or cones.
• They include the groups bryophyta,pteridophyta, and thallophyta.
• Non-flowering plants include both vascular and non-vascular plants.

Do Non-Flowering plants make their food?

Non-flowering plants can make their food with the help of photosynthesis. However, there are some exceptions. Ferns and mosses are vascular plants without seeds or flowers. They are capable of producing their food. Similarly, fungi belong to the group of non-flowering plants that cannot make food on their own, but they are not considered plants. On the other side, algae can make their food, but they are not classified as plants.

Do Non-Flowering plants produce seeds?

Like angiosperms, some non-flowering plants can also produce seeds. These plants are called gymnosperms. The term gymnos means ‘naked’ and sperma ‘means ‘seed.’ Ferns mostly reproduce through spores; however, some ferns are also capable of seed production. These seeds are not enclosed within a fruit. They can be exposed to, or partially covered by, a protective structure.

Reproduction in Non-Flowering plants

Reproduction in non-flowering plants happens mainly through spore formation and vegetative propagation. In spore formation, specialized structures called sporangia develop into mature, single-celled structures through meiosis. Spores are lightweight and are easily carried through the wind. When spores land in a suitable environment, the spores undergo germination.

Facts about Non-Flowering plants

• Many non-flowering plants, such as ferns and mosses, have been around for hundreds of millions of years.
• Non-flowering plants mostly reproduce through single-celled structures called spores, which can develop into new individuals under favorable conditions.
• Some non-flowering plants, like mosses, are excellent environmental indicators. They can detect changes in moisture level, temperature, etc. and indicate the changes.
• Mosses, a type of bryophyte, are known for their ability to thrive in extreme environments. They play a crucial role in soil stabilization.
• Gymnosperms were some of the first plants to evolve seeds, but without the protection of fruits.
• Algae, a diverse group of non-flowering play a crucial role in supporting marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Non-Flowering Plant FAQs

What is common in flowering and non-flowering plants?

Both flowering and non-flowering plants are capable of reproduction. Flowering plants reproduce through flowers, whereas non-flowering plants reproduce through spores.

Is neem a non-flowering plant?

Yes, Neem is a non-flowering plant. It reproduces through vegetative propagation.

What is a non-flowering plant called?

Non-flowering plants are called cryptogams. These plants do not produce flowers and reproduce through spores.