Question

Why are ferns, spike mosses and horsetails able to grow taller than bryophytes?

Answer 1

Height of a plant is determined by the type of conducting tissue present in it. Bryophytes are very small as compared to ferns, spike mosses and even other higher plants like gymnosperms and angiosperms. It is because bryophytes have a very primitive type of conducting tissue which is known as conducting cell and conducting tissue. It is responsible for the conduction of water and nutrients across the plant body. Because of this Limited functioning of this tissue, bryophytes are not able to grow taller. In tall plants it becomes difficult to transport water and nutrients to great height.

Where as in pteridophytes, a vascular tissue is present. It is differentiated into xylem and phloem. Although the xylem and phloem of primitive nature, but they are still more efficient than the conducting cell and tissue found in bryophytes. They can conduct water upto Greater height and therefore pteridophytes are taller than bryophytes.

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