Cryptogamic Plants - Meaning, Characteristics and Examples

Cryptogams are a group of organisms which reproduce via spores rather than seeds. Organisms within this category are either plants or plant-like. This is because the taxonomic organization of cryptogamic plants includes green algae, cyanobacteria, lichens, and certain fungi.

The Latin name Cryptogamae means ‘hidden’, referring to the fact that the reproductive parts of cryptogamic organisms are hidden from the naked eye. Since they do not need them to reproduce, cryptograms do not have seeds, flowers, or fruits. This is the characteristic which means they are considered cryptogamic.

Some cryptogamic plants are capable of reproducing asexually through spores, meaning they do not need another individual to continue multiplying. This aspect of cryptograms is very useful for gaining ground in areas that are difficult to colonize, allowing the plants to continue their species even in harsh conditions. It also means the environments in which they can proliferate can be incredibly varied.

Other cryptogamic plants alternate sexual and asexual reproductive cycles in their different generations. This is another method of evolutionary survival which uses a combination of the advantages of both types of reproduction.

Cryptograms can be found in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. They do require a lot of hydration for survival, meaning they are particularly common in the latter. Cryptogamic organisms have tissues that are sensitive and can be damaged easily by dry environments. They grow much better in shaded areas and next to abundant water sources. It should be noted that some cryptogamic plants, like mosses, play a crucial role in their ecosystems by helping to retain moisture and prevent soil erosion. Furthermore, they contribute to the formation of soil by breaking down rocks over time.

As explained above, the characteristics of cryptograms are varied. This is because they belong to various genera and species of organisms. To help us classify and categorize cryptogamic plants, they are subdivided into three large groups:

• Thallophytes: these plants share the characteristic of having tissue known as a thallus, a structure that causes the plant to be unable to differentiate roots, stems, and leaves. In this group, we can find lichens, fungi, and algae. It's fascinating to note that these organisms can thrive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including deserts and polar regions.
  
  
• Bryophytes: non-vascular plants. As they do not have a vascular system and do not have specialized structures for the transport of water and nutrients, they are much smaller plants that require high levels of environmental humidity. Liverworts, hornworts, and mosses are considered bryophytes. These plants are often among the first to colonize new or disturbed environments, playing a key role in ecological succession.
  
  
• Pteridophytes: they are the most evolved type of cryptogamic plant. They are vascular plants, which have developed xylem and phloem to be able to transport water and nutrients throughout their organism. For this reason, they also have roots, stems, and leaves. We can find pteridophytes in almost any part of the planet. This includes everywhere from humid mountainous areas to tropical environments. This is because they are much more adaptable. Among them, we find several subtypes, including horsetails, psilophytes, lycopods, isoetes, and ferns. Interestingly, some pteridophytes have been found to possess medicinal properties, used in traditional medicine across various cultures.

Learn more about the habitats of different plants with our article on what plants and animals live in temperate forests?

These are some of the best known or representative examples of cryptogamic plants include the following:

• Red algae: also called rhodophytes, red algae receive their characteristic coloration from the phycocyanin and phycoerythrin pigments they possess. These mask the other pigments that give most plants their traditional green color, chlorophyll being the most important. There are around 8,000 species of this type of algae, almost all living in marine environments of depths ranging from 40 to 200 meters. They reproduce by spermatization and have digenetic or trigenetic life cycles. Red algae and some fungi are the only organisms to share these complex cycles. Red algae are also known to produce compounds used in the food industry, such as agar and carrageenan. Learn more about plant pigments with our article on types of chlorophyll.
  
  
• Green algae: with more than 10,000 species across the globe, green algae are enormously important organisms that are closely related to terrestrial plants. They are divided into two clades, Chlorophyceae and Charophyceae. In turn, these clades are divided into more subcategories. In a very basic sense, the former correspond to marine algae and the latter to freshwater algae. Being so great in variety, it is difficult to find many common characteristics among them other than their cryptogamic nature, although some of them have chlorophyll a and b, which allows them to carry out photosynthesis. Green algae are critical in aquatic ecosystems, as they form the base of the food chain and contribute significantly to oxygen production.
  
  
• Ferns: perennial plants, common among plant lovers and gardeners as houseplants. They reproduce by means of spores which are generated on the underside of their leaves. These are found in sori, clusters of structures that produce and contain the spores. Essentially, they replace the function of seeds. Ferns range from very small in size to incredibly large. Some are only a few centimeters, while arboreal types such as the Australian fern tree can reach up to 15 meters in height. Ferns have been used for centuries in various cultures for decorative and symbolic purposes.
  
  
• Lichens: symbiotic organisms in which algae and fungi have become associated. The algae part is made up of Chlorophyceae or cyanobacteria, while the fungi are almost always an ascomycete. Almost the entire body of the lichen belongs to the fungus, although the alga gives the association the ability to photosynthesize. Lichens are remarkable bioindicators, as they are sensitive to air pollution and can indicate the health of an ecosystem.

Now that you know what cryptogamic plants are, their characteristics and examples, you may also be interested in reading this thedailyECO article on the differences between plant and animal cells.

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