What is Thallophyta?

Thallophyta belongs to a polyphyletic group that is mainly composed of simple, lower-level thalloid plants. They are non-motile organisms. The body of thallophytes does not contain a vascular system as they lack conducting tissue in their body. They belong to the kingdom Plantae and sub-kingdom Cryptogamae. It is placed under this sub-kingdom because it lacks reproductive organs like flowers and seeds. They depend on water bodies for their reproduction as they perform external fertilization. They consist of further sub-divisions of algae, lichen, and fungi.

The name “Thallophyta” comes from the Greek word “Thallos” which means “undifferentiated” and “phyton” which means “plant”. Thallophytes can be defined as “it is a group of plants or plant-like organisms that lack differentiated stems, leaves, and roots and that were classified as a primary division of the plant kingdom”.

Thallopahyta are also known as Thallophyto and Thallobiont. Thallphyta belongs to the plant kingdom. The name “Thallophyta” comes from the characteristic feature of the “thalloid body” i.e. undifferentiated body. Thallophytes are the most primitive form of plants, mostly found in damp areas or near water bodies. In this article, we will study Thallophyta, its characteristics, and the importance of Thallophyta.