Astrophyta
Astrophyta
The astrophytes lack leaves and roots, with most of the plant body consisted of branching stems that were photosynthetic throughout their length. Vascular tissue consists of a solid central bundle in the center of the stem, or protostele. Astrophytes branch unequally, forming a main stem, or axis, with several smaller lateral branches, which typically branch dichotomously to form bushy "webs" of small, closely spaced branches. The lateral branches bear thorny star shaped enations, from which astrophytes get their name. Astrophytes bear homosporous spindle-shaped sporangia at the tips of branches and vary in size from a few centimeters to nearly a meter tall.
