Dichotomous Key/Plantae

1

• 2: All cells are similar or nearly so; They appear as an amorphous mass; Mostly aquatic; Single celled or multicellular.
• 3: Cells are differentiated into types; Cells connected into a discernible structure; Multicellular.

3

• 5: Vascular system present.
• 11: Vascular system absent.

5

• 6: Plant reproduces with spores.
• 7: Plant reproduces with seeds.

7

• Pteridospermatophyta: Seeds borne on fertile fronds
• 8: Seeds not borne on fertile fronds

8

• 9 Seeds not enclosed in an ovary.
• 10: Seeds enclosed in an ovary.

9

• Gnetophyta: vessel elements present
• 14: vessel elements absent

10: Flowering Plant

• Monocot: Flower parts mostly in 3s or multiples of 3; leaves usually with parallel venation; plants mostly herbaceous; one seed leaf.
• Dicot: Flower parts mostly in 4s, 5s, or multiples of 4 or 5; Leaves usually with netted venation; plants herbaceous or woody; 2 seed leaves.

14

• Cycadophyta: Superficially resembling a fern with clusters of long pinnate fronds growing from a central stalk.
• 15: Does not resemble a large fern or palm tree.

15

• Ginkgo biloba: Leaves have dichotomous venation (veins continuously divide into 2).
• Pinophyta: Leaves do not have dichotomous venation.