A vascular plant is a plant which contains the same tissue type as human beings. These plants are called vascular plants as they have a vessel-like network of water-conducting vessels called xylem.

They are able to obtain their nutrients by absorbing the water from the soil through these vessels and then distribute it through its leaves. They also use these vessels to transport photosynthates to other parts of the plant.

So, in this article, I will be talking about the differences between vascular plants and nonvascular plants.

Vascular vs Non-Vascular Plants:

Nonvascular plants are those plants that don’t have the same tissue type as human beings. They consist of mosses, ferns, clubmoss, horsetails, horsetail, and hornworts.

Vascular plants are different from these nonvascular plants as they have a vascular system which helps them to transport nutrients and water. These include all flowering plants, conifers, bryophytes, and ferns.

The difference between these two groups can be easily identified if you look at their leaves. All nonvascular plants have leaves which are flat and lack veins, but all the vascular plants have leaves that contain veins.

Vascular plants can also be distinguished from nonvascular plants by their reproductive organs. They can produce fruits or flowers which are borne on branches in the same way as the fruit-bearing trees.

In addition, vascular plants have stomata which are pores located on the underside of their leaves, while nonvascular plants do not have stomata.

What Are Vascular Plants?

Vascular plants are one of the most complex groups of organisms. Their classification is based on their structures. They include ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.

Ferns

Ferns are a group of organisms that consist of two main parts: leaves and stem. They have no roots but instead have a network of vessels that helps them to absorb water from the soil and transport it to the leaves.

They also contain the same type of tissue as humans, called sclerenchyma. The leaf is made up of lamina and these are the same as our finger nails. It is also a structure made up of bundles of cells which contain chlorophyll.

In addition, ferns produce spores which are called sporangia. These are similar to the reproductive organs of flowering plants.

Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are those plants which have structures similar to gymnosperms. Gymnosperms are usually woody plants with simple leaves.

They have seeds that are borne on the surface of the plant. In some cases, they also have fruits that are borne on the end of branches.

Vascular plants also include conifers and cycads. They are usually large and can grow up to 200 feet tall.

Conifers

Conifers are usually evergreen plants and they are one of the oldest plants on Earth. They are found in many parts of the world and they are usually associated with temperate regions.

The most famous conifer is the pine tree. The needle-like leaves are covered with tiny scales which contain resin. These are very useful for making firewood or as a medicine.

In addition, conifers also contain seeds that are enclosed by a hard cone. These seeds are also called nuts and the cone is called a strobile.

Cycads

Cycads are similar to conifers but they grow in tropical areas and they are not as tall as conifers. The seeds of cycads are borne on short stalks and they can grow up to 25 feet tall.

They produce cones and these cones can be used to make hats, vases, and musical instruments. In addition, they contain a resin which can be used for making medicines.

What Are Angiosperms?

Angiosperms are one of the largest groups of vascular plants. They include all flowering plants and they are the most complex and diverse group of plants.