Lycopsida

By: Islia Dewi Yuanita

 A class (formerly Lycopodiopsida) of the division Lycophyta. Literatur lain:

Karakteristik umum
Since this early and rapid radiation, lycopsids have always been globally distributed, with peak diversity in the tropics. In terms of both species diversity and biomass, lycophytes dominated many Devonian and Carboniferous plant communities, including the classic coal-swamp forests. Living lycopsids are of far less phenotypic diversity and ecological significance than the fossils; most are small-bodied rhizomatous perennial herbs (see illus. ) or tuberous pseudoherbs occupying moist niches of low interspecific competition. Many are polyploids.

 Extant genera are relatively evenly distributed from a phylogenetic viewpoint. Fourteen representative genera of lycopsids belong to six orders, which either lack living species (Asteroxylales, Protolepidodendrales, Lepidodendrales) or possess them (Lycopodiales, Selaginellales, Isoetales). See also: Asteroxylales; Isoetales; Lepidodendrales; Lycopodiales; Protolepidodendrales; Selaginellales

Lycopodiales
The inception of the order Lycopodiales was marked by vascularization of the microphylls and by the unequivocal sharing of a single vascular trace by the sporangium and the subtending microphyll. The Lycopodiales achieved considerable phenotypic diversity that is well represented in the extant flora although all remained rhizomatous herbs. Sporangia of the Protolepidodendrales remained adaxial but were situated farther from the axis; they were also radially elongate and had a longitudinal dehiscence slit. This group also showed the earliest evidence of a uniquely lycopsid feature, the ligule.

Selaginellales
the Selaginellales are heterosporous and produce large megaspores and small microspores that generate male and female gametophytes. Megasporangia and microsporangia are borne together in bisporangiate cones.

Lepidodendrales dan Isoetales

The Lepidodendrales and the Isoetales are characterized by finite growth from a centralized axial rooting structure termed the rhizomorph. All rhizomorphic species undergo at least some secondary thickening to generate wood and bark. These characters probably first appeared in the Lepidodendrales, allowing the development of large trees as well as shrubs and pseudoherbs which together could occupy a wide range of habitats.