plantes

Plantes, commonly referred to as plants, are a diverse group of mostly photosynthetic, multicellular organisms within the kingdom Plantae. They range from tiny mosses to towering trees and inhabit nearly every terrestrial habitat and many aquatic environments. Most plants are autotrophic, generating organic matter through photosynthesis and serving as the primary producers in most ecosystems.

Key characteristics include cell walls made of cellulose, chloroplasts containing chlorophyll, and the storage of carbohydrates as starch. Plants exhibit various tissue systems, such as dermal, vascular, and ground tissues. They typically grow through alternation of generations and rely on sunlight, water, and minerals to sustain growth.

Plants are traditionally divided into major groups: non-vascular plants (mosses and liverworts), seedless vascular plants (ferns), gymnosperms (conifers and relatives), and angiosperms (flowering plants). Reproduction ranges from spores in mosses and ferns to seeds in seed plants, with angiosperms evolving flowers to attract animal pollinators.

Ecologically, plants form the base of food webs, produce oxygen, stabilize soils, and influence climate through carbon sequestration. They provide food, medicines, fibers, timber, and ornamental resources for humans. Plant diversity supports ecosystem services and resilience to environmental change.

Threats to plant diversity include habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation. Conservation efforts focus on protected areas, sustainable agriculture, restoration, and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity and ecosystem services for future generations.