The four major groups of plants are: mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.
Mosses belong to a group known as bryophytes. These are small, non-vascular plants that require moist environments for reproduction. They don’t have true roots, stems, or leaves and mainly reproduce through spores.
Ferns are vascular plants that reproduce via spores as well. They have complex leaves called fronds and thrive in damp, shady areas. Unlike mosses, ferns have a vascular system to transport water and nutrients, making them larger and more diverse.
Conifers, or gymnosperms, are primarily evergreen plants that produce cones and have needle-like leaves. They are well adapted to a variety of environments, especially colder climates. Their reproductive structures, the cones, produce seeds that remain exposed.
Flowering plants, or angiosperms, are characterized by their flowers and seeds enclosed within a fruit. This group is the most diverse among the four, ranging from tiny herbs to massive trees. They have intricate reproductive systems often involving pollinators.
In summary, these major groups of plants reflect the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom, each possessing unique features and adaptations that allow them to thrive in various environments.