växters

Växter, or plants, are a diverse group of mostly photosynthetic, multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. They are the primary producers in most terrestrial ecosystems, using light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars while releasing oxygen. Most växter are rooted in place and rely on their tissues to transport water, minerals, and organic compounds.

Växter are broadly categorized into non-vascular and vascular groups. Non-vascular plants, such as mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, lack true vascular tissue and rely on diffusion and osmosis for transport. Vascular plants, or tracheophytes, possess xylem and phloem to move water, minerals, and sugars throughout the plant. They reproduce by spores in some lineages (ferns and related plants) and by seeds in gymnosperms and angiosperms. Flowering plants (angiosperms) dominate many habitats and produce seeds within fruits.

Major groups include bryophytes (non-vascular), pteridophytes (ferns and allies), gymnosperms (conifers, cycads, ginkgo), and angiosperms (flowering plants). Within angiosperms, there are two major subdivisions: monocots and dicots (eudicots). Växter exhibit a wide range of forms, from tiny mosses to towering trees, and their structure typically includes roots, stems, and leaves. They rely on hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, and abscisic acid to regulate growth, development, and responses to the environment.

Ecologically, växter support life by stabilizing soils, cycling nutrients, and forming habitats. They are also sources of food, medicine, fiber, and building materials, making their conservation and sustainable management important for ecosystems and human societies.