The phylum Pterophyta is a group of non-seed plants with a fossil record dating back to the lower Devonian. The phylum consists of about 11,000 living species. Vegetatatively ,the Pterophyta are a diverse group of plants with true leaves, roots and stems . While arborescent species exist, no living fern demonstrates true secondary growth.
Roots are adventitious.
Homospory with the production of photosythetic free-living gametophytes is the most common pattern. The structure of the spore, sporangium and sorus are all important taxonomic features.