Contents

1. Introduction to Plant Diversity- Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms & Angiosperms with Reference to Vascular Plants

1.1 Tracheophyta

1.2 About the Term “psida”

2. PTERIDOPHYTES

2.1 Pteridophyta

2.2 Nephrolepis

2.2.1 Habit and Habitat

2.2.2 External Morphology (fig. 2.1)

2.3 Reproduction

2.4 Gametophyte

2.4.1 Fertilization

2.4.2 Alternation of Generations

2.5 Nephrolepsis Internal Structure of the Sporophyte

2.5.1 Stolon

2.5.2 Rachis

2.6 Utilization and Economic Importance

3. Gymnosperms   

3.1 Salient Features

3.2 Classification of Gymnosperms

3.3 Life Cycle of Cycas

3.3.1 Distribution of Cycads

3.3.2 Life Cycle of Cycas

3.4 The Life Cycle of a Gymnosperm

3.5 Utilization and Economic Importance of Gymnosperms

4. ANGIOSPERMS   

4.1 Introduction

4.2 General Characters of Angiosperms

4.3 Outline Classification (Benthum and Hooker’s System)

4.4 Difference between Dicots and Monocots

5. UTILIZATION AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ANGIOSPERMS

5.1 Food - The Plants that Feed us

5.1.1 Merits of Cereals

5.1.2 Pulses

5.1.3 Edible Oils – Vegetable Oils

5.1.4 Vegetables

5.1.5 Fruits

5.2 Fodder – Food for our Livestock

5.2.1 Components of Fodder

5.3 Fibers – The Plants that cover us

5.4 Horticulture – Plants to Beautify our Landscape

5.5 Medicine – Plants that Cure us