SUBPHYLUM PSILOPHYTA or WHISK FERNS

• These are the oldest known vascular plants found.
• Commonly found in warm climates, the whisk ferns are not really ferns.
• They don't have either true leaves or roots.
• The plant body of the sporophyte consists of an underground stem anchored by rhizoids, which absorb water and minerals.
• These plants have green stems which enable them to carry on photosynthesis. As these stems grow, they split into two branches to form a Y-shaped end.
• Sporangi a form at the tips of the branches which produce haploid spores by meiosis

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