Division Polypodiophyta of the Kingdom Plantae

In botanical taxonomy, a phylum (also called a division) is a major rank that represents a large evolutionary lineage within the plant kingdom. Phyla are defined by broad sets of shared morphological, anatomical, and genetic characteristics.

The plant kingdom is divided into multiple divisions/phyla, each with its own defining features. For example, the angiosperms (flowering plants) comprise the largest lineage of plants and include species that produce flowers and seeds enclosed in fruits. By contrast, the bryophytes include non-vascular plants such as mosses, which do not produce flowers or seeds and typically require water for reproduction.

Below the phylum rank, plants are further classified into class, order, family, genus, and species based on increasingly specific shared traits and evolutionary relationships. These ranks help botanists study and understand the diversity and relationships among plant groups.

Do you wish to read more about plant taxonomy? Click here!