diversity in plants essay

An Overview of Plant Diversity

Introduction to plants.

Plants are a highly significant kingdom of organisms. They are multicellular organisms with the incredible capability to produce their food from atmospheric carbon dioxide. If plants were absent, animal life would not survive because they serve as the base of many food webs.

Like the vast Californian sequoias , plants can be as large as 90 metres, or as small as a few millimetres. While Eucalyptus regnans is the tallest angiosperm, Wolffia is the smallest rootless aquatic plant. The most common types of plants on earth are angiosperms or blooming plants. This overview looks at plant diversity based on habitat, stem nature, life span, size and nutrition.

Table of Contents

Introduction to plant diversity, diversity based on habitat, diversity based on habit, angiosperm diversity based on stem nature, diversity based on size, diversity based on life span, diversity based on nutrition.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kingdom Plantae emerged about 410 million years ago as green algae transitioned from water to land. This land had a rich resource base and was comparatively uncolonised. Additionally, terrestrial habitats provide more light and carbon dioxide, essential for plant growth and survival.

Being multicellular and mostly photosynthetic organisms living both in water and on land, plants can be found almost everywhere. Red, brown, and green algae are among the aquatic plants, and mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms are among the terrestrial plants. Over the past 70 million years, flowering plants known as angiosperms have dominated the planet.

Depending on different characteristics, there are various types of plants. Plants are divided into the following groups according to their habitat (where they reside).

Hydrophytes

The term “hydrophytes” refers to plants that grow in or near water. Such plants have weak vascular tissue, fragile stems, and poor root systems. The majority of the tissue has air spaces and is spongy.

These plants might include the following characteristics:

(i) Submerged (e.g., Hydrilla , Vallisneria , Potamogeton etc.)

(ii) Fixed-floating and free-floating (e.g., Utricularia , Wolffia , Salvinia , Lemna , Ceratophyllum , Pistia , Trapa , Eichornia , etc.)

(iii) Amphibious (partly submerged, e.g., Alisma plantago , Ranunculus aquatilis , Sagittaria , etc.)

Thalassia and Zostera are two angiosperms that are also marine.

Hygrophytes

These plants need moist, dark environments to develop. Their roots and stems have limited growth and are fragile and spongy. The leaves have stomata and are fully developed. Ferns, Aroids, Begonias, and certain grasses are common examples.

These plants can survive in saline water or soil. They can tolerate high salt concentrations (NaCl, MgCl 2 , and MgSO 4 ). They have distinctive breathing roots, or pneumatophores, that are negatively geotropic. Mangrove vegetation like Rhizophora , Ceriops , Avicennia , etc. are common examples.

Mesophytes, which comprise the majority of angiosperms, are those that grow in areas with moderate water availability. They usually develop fast and are large. Their leaves and roots are well developed. The stem could be either woody or herbaceous. Some mesophytes, like deciduous trees, are mesophytic in the summer and xerophytic in the winter.

Xerophytes, such as Acacia , Euphorbia , Amaranthus , Argemone , Nerium , and Ziziphus , are plants that thrive in xeric or dry environments or areas with limited access to water. Some xerophytes are known as succulents because they store water in their stems ( Opuntia ), leaves ( Bryophyllum , Agave ), or roots ( Asparagus ).

Epiphytes are plants that grow on trunks or branches of other plants, such as an orchid or lichen growing as an epiphyte on a mango limb. The epiphytes are regarded as space parasites. An example of commensalism where the host is unaffected is the contact between an orchid (a commensal) and a tree (the host).

Parasitic Plants

These plants, such as Striga and Cuscuta , are parasites that grow on other plants (on roots of jowar).

Angiosperms are divided into four groups based on their form, size, and shape:

Herbs (Herbaceous)

These plants have a short, green, fragile stem. Typically, they have a brief life span, like wheat or gram. Some herbaceous plants have a much reduced underground stem portion, but the aerial branch with flowers at the apex develops from the underground part during reproduction. Such a stem is known as a scape, such as an onion.

Shrubs (Shruby or Fruticose)

These plants are more significantly woody and branching than herbs. They generally have multiple stems but no main axis. Eg., henna, roses, and China roses.

Trees (Arborescent)

The plants are thick, rigid, and woody and are more prolonged or taller than bushes. They have a noticeable trunk.

Nodes and internodes are very apparent in these plants. Most of these plants have hollow internodes. These plants, such as bamboo, are grasses but cannot be classified as herbs, shrubs, or trees.

The angiosperm plants can be categorised as follows based on the type of stem:

These plants develop upright. Due to their strong stems, most trees, shrubs, and some herbs can stand upright on the ground.

These plants have dangling stems that are entirely covered in roots. Leaves originate from nodes, from the culm of which branches emerge. For example, Cynodon , and Oxalis (doob grass). Nodes along the length of the stem produce adventitious roots.

These plants resemble creepers, but adventitious roots do not form at nodes in these plants. A trailer could be procumbent or decumbent. The stem is horizontal in a procumbent trailer (such as Basella ), but in a decumbent trailer, the apex of the stem is lifted above the ground (e.g., Lindenbergia ).

These weak-stemmed plants, such as peas and betels, cling to supports using their adventitious roots, petioles, spines, and tendrils.

The size of the angiospermic plants varies considerably. The rootless aquatic Wolffia is the smallest angiosperm. Its diameter is 0.1 mm. The diameter of aquatic Lemna is 0.1 cm. The Eucalyptus regnans tree is the tallest angiosperm plant. Its height exceeds 100 metres. Some eucalyptus trees grow as tall as 130 metres. The Banyan tree is the largest type of plant ( Ficus bengalensis ). It has more than 200 prop roots and can cover a space of 2 to 5 acres.

Angiosperms are divided into the following four groups based on life span:

Before the arrival of real dry conditions, these plants reach the end of their life span in a very short time. These plants, such as Solanum xanthocarpum , Argemon mexicana , Cassia tora , etc., are not true xerophytes and are often referred to as drought escapers or drought evaders.

After producing seeds, such as those for rice, wheat, and gram, they die within a year of completing their life cycle.

Biannuals (or Biennials)

These plants go through their entire life cycle in two years. They only exhibit vegetative development in the first year, and then, in the second year, they produce flowers, fruits, and seeds. Usually, these plants are herbs, such as carrot, turnip, and radish.

Once established, these plants continue to live for a very long time. More than 200 years old, the giant banyan tree ( Ficus bengalensis ) can be found in Kolkata’s Botanical Garden. At Gaya, there is a Bodhi tree ( Ficus religiosa ) that is roughly 2500 years old.

Most perennials produce flowers and fruits in a specific season of the year after reaching maturity. They are polycarpic, including Acacia , mango, and coconut. Some perennial plants, like bamboo and Agave , are monocarpic, meaning they only produce fruit once during their lifetime. Biennials and annuals are all monocarpic.

Plants are divided into the following categories based on their mode of nutrition:

Autotrophs/ Autophytes

They have the ability to produce their food. They are split into two groups: chemotrophs, which produce their food using chemical energy, and phototrophs (which produce their food through photosynthesis).

Heterotrophs

These plants cannot produce their food and therefore depend on external sources. Heterotrophs can be insectivorous, saprophytic, parasitic, or symbiotic.

Other plant varieties include:

• Polygamous plant (e.g., mango).
• Stolon plant (e.g., Ajuga , Stachys , and Mentha ).
• Seedless vascular plants
• Sucker plant (red raspberry, lilac, and Forsythia ).
• Air layering plants ( Forsythia , jasmine, Hamamelis , Philodendron , etc.).
• Cutting plants.

There are various types of plants, and each one needs a specific environment to develop. The essential elements are sunlight, nutrients, water, air, soil, and temperature, which plants rely on for their life, growth, and development.

Related Links:

• Biodiversity and its Types
• What is Species Diversity?
• Flora And Fauna
• Biodiversity in Plants and Animals
• Plant Kingdom – Members of Kingdom Plantae

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Frequently Asked Questions

What increases plant diversity.

Enhancing crop genetic variety, diverse plantings, rotating crops, agroforestry, and varying the environments around cropland are examples of diversification strategies.

Mention the function of a stem in a plant.

A stem provides the following functions in a plant:

• It supports the fruits, flowers, leaves, and branches.
• It moves minerals and water from the roots of plants to their leaves and other parts.
• It transports nourishment from the plant’s leaves to various plant sections.
• It keeps the plant upright.

Which kind of venation is most likely to be present in a plant with a fibrous root?

Parallel venation is a characteristic of plants with fibrous roots and leaves.

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Essay on Diversity in Plants

Students are often asked to write an essay on Diversity in Plants in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Diversity in Plants

Introduction.

Diversity in plants refers to the wide range of different plant species found on Earth. This diversity is essential for life as plants provide oxygen, food and habitat.

Types of Plant Diversity

Plant diversity can be classified into three types: genetic, species, and ecosystem. Genetic diversity refers to variations within a plant species. Species diversity is the variety of different plant species. Ecosystem diversity means the assortment of ecosystems that plants create.

Importance of Diversity

Plant diversity is crucial for the survival of all life forms. It helps in maintaining ecological balance and provides resources like food, medicine, and raw materials.

Threats to Plant Diversity

Human activities like deforestation, pollution, and climate change pose significant threats to plant diversity. It’s vital to protect and conserve our plant diversity for a healthy planet.

250 Words Essay on Diversity in Plants

Diversity in plants, also known as phytodiversity, is a fascinating field of study, encompassing the broad spectrum of plant species and their unique characteristics. It plays a pivotal role in the planet’s ecological balance, influencing everything from climate regulation to food chain dynamics.

Phytodiversity: An Overview

The world is home to an estimated 391,000 species of vascular plants, showcasing the incredible diversity of plant life. This diversity is not evenly distributed; tropical regions, for example, are hotspots of phytodiversity, due to their favorable climatic conditions and rich soil.

Genetic Diversity and Evolution

Genetic diversity is a key component of plant diversity. It allows for natural selection and evolution, where plants with beneficial traits survive and reproduce. This leads to the evolution of new plant species over time, further enhancing biodiversity.

Ecological Significance

Plant diversity is crucial for ecosystem health. Different plant species play varying roles in their ecosystems, from primary producers to climate regulators. They also provide habitat and food for numerous animal species, maintaining the intricate balance of nature.

Threats and Conservation

Despite its importance, plant diversity is under threat due to human activities like deforestation and climate change. It’s imperative for us to conserve this diversity, as it holds the key to sustainable development and the overall health of our planet.

In conclusion, plant diversity is a testament to the richness and complexity of life on Earth. It plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and holds potential solutions to many of the challenges we face today. As stewards of this planet, it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve this invaluable resource.

500 Words Essay on Diversity in Plants

Introduction to plant diversity.

Plants, from towering trees to tiny mosses, play a crucial role in our planet’s ecosystems. They are the primary producers, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis and providing a food source for a myriad of species. However, this fundamental role is only one aspect of their importance. The diversity in plants is a fascinating topic, revealing the intricate adaptability and resilience of life on Earth.

Understanding Plant Diversity

Plant diversity encompasses the variety of plant species and the genetic variability within these species. Currently, scientists have identified over 390,000 species of vascular plants, with the actual number believed to be significantly higher. This diversity is not evenly distributed; certain regions, such as the tropics, are hotspots for plant diversity due to their favorable climatic conditions.

Diversity is not limited to species alone. Genetic diversity within a species allows for adaptability and survival in changing environments. For instance, a plant species with a broad genetic base will have a better chance of surviving a disease outbreak than a genetically uniform species.

The Evolutionary Perspective

Plant diversity is a testament to the evolutionary processes that have shaped life on Earth. Over millions of years, plants have evolved to adapt to a broad range of environments, from arid deserts to waterlogged swamps. This adaptability is evident in the diverse morphological features of plants, such as the water-storing stems of cacti or the insect-trapping leaves of pitcher plants.

The evolution of flowering plants, or angiosperms, is a key event in the history of plant diversity. Angiosperms are the most diverse group of land plants, with over 300,000 species. Their success lies in their unique reproductive strategy, which involves attracting animals to aid in pollination, thus enhancing their chances of reproductive success.

Importance of Plant Diversity

Plant diversity has immense ecological, economic, and cultural significance. Ecologically, diverse plant communities contribute to ecosystem stability and resilience. They support a variety of wildlife species, maintain soil health, and play a vital role in the carbon cycle.

Economically, plant diversity is the basis of numerous industries, including agriculture, forestry, and pharmaceuticals. Many of the foods, medicines, and materials we use daily originate from diverse plant species.

Culturally, plants hold significant value in many societies. They feature in art, mythology, and religious practices, and many indigenous communities have intricate knowledge systems centered around local plant diversity.

Conservation of Plant Diversity

Despite its importance, plant diversity is under threat due to human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change. These threats highlight the need for conservation efforts. Protecting plant diversity involves preserving habitats, creating seed banks, and implementing sustainable land-use practices.

In conclusion, plant diversity is a complex and fascinating field that intertwines with various aspects of life on Earth. Understanding and preserving this diversity is not just an academic pursuit, but a necessity for the continued survival and well-being of our planet.

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Plant Diversity Patterns and Drivers

Review 15 March 2024 Exploring the complex pre-adaptations of invasive plants to anthropogenic disturbance: a call for integration of archaeobotanical approaches Ginevra Bellini ,  2 more  and  Alexandra Erfmeier 932 views 0 citations

Original Research 28 February 2024 Precipitation variation: a key factor regulating plant diversity in semi-arid livestock grazing lands Yantao Wu ,  9 more  and  Cunzhu Liang 749 views 0 citations

Original Research 22 February 2024 Variations in species diversity patterns and community assembly rules among vegetation types in the karst landscape Longchenxi Meng ,  10 more  and  Lipeng Zang 599 views 0 citations

Original Research 21 February 2024 Demographic patterns of two related desert shrubs with overlapping distributions in response to past climate changes Qiushi Yu ,  5 more  and  Yuqi Wang 423 views 0 citations

Original Research 16 February 2024 The loss of plant functional groups increased arthropod diversity in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau Ningna Lu ,  8 more  and  Sheng Wang 1,047 views 0 citations

Original Research 15 February 2024 Influence of surface water and groundwater on functional traits and trade-off strategies of oasis communities at the end of the Keriya River, China Haobo Shi ,  5 more  and  Chuanmei Zhu 346 views 0 citations

Loading... Original Research 01 February 2024 Flower colour and size-signals vary with altitude and resulting climate on the tropical-subtropical islands of Taiwan Mani Shrestha ,  5 more  and  Chun-Neng Wang 1,368 views 1 citations

Original Research 22 December 2023 Effect of grazing and climatic factors on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in grassland ecosystems - a case study of typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, China Yiran Zhang ,  5 more  and  Yong Ding 961 views 0 citations

Original Research 21 December 2023 Leaf-age and petiole biomass play significant roles in leaf scaling theory Xuchen Guo ,  5 more  and  Karl J. Niklas 642 views 1 citations

Original Research 07 December 2023 Land use intensity controls the diversity-productivity relationship in northern temperate grasslands of China Yidan Yan ,  4 more  and  Liming Ye 867 views 0 citations

Original Research 05 December 2023 Differences in functional niche hypervolume among four types of forest vegetation and their environmental determinants across various climatic regions in China Jihong Huang ,  1 more  and  Runguo Zang 653 views 0 citations

Original Research 07 November 2023 Evaluation of relative pollen productivities in temperate China for reliable pollen-based quantitative reconstructions of Holocene plant cover Furong Li ,  6 more  and  Shinya Sugita 744 views 0 citations

Original Research 25 October 2023 Promoting effects of soil C and N and limiting effect of soil P jointly determine the plant diversity during the aerial seeding restoration process in Mu Us sandy land, China Xiaoqian Gong ,  5 more  and  Qing Zhang 529 views 0 citations

Original Research 09 October 2023 Does genotypic diversity of Hydrocotyle vulgaris affect CO2 and CH4 fluxes? Jia-Tao Zhu ,  4 more  and  Fei-Hai Yu 678 views 0 citations

Original Research 27 September 2023 Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) communities in char-lands and water channels across the Swat River Basin: implication for conservation planning Nasrullah Khan ,  6 more  and  Hamada AbdElgawad 908 views 1 citations

Loading... Original Research 18 September 2023 Effects of plant diversity, soil microbial diversity, and network complexity on ecosystem multifunctionality in a tropical rainforest Yanxuan Chen ,  5 more  and  Jianrong Su 1,574 views 1 citations

Original Research 08 September 2023 Secondary succession of shrub-herb communities in the hilly area of Taihang Mountain Xiuping Liu ,  3 more  and  Wenxu Dong 675 views 0 citations

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Loading... Original Research 28 July 2023 Potentially differential impacts on niche overlap between Chinese endangered Zelkova schneideriana and its associated tree species under climate change Yanrong Zhou ,  1 more  and  Guangfu Zhang 1,388 views 4 citations

Original Research 13 July 2023 Seasonal variation in soil algal community structure in different forest plantations in subtropic China Liman Wei ,  4 more  and  Yongjing Chen 798 views 1 citations

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9.1: Why It Matters- Plant Diversity

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Why differentiate between different types of plants?

Land plants evolved from a group of green algae, perhaps as early as 510 million years ago. The evolution of plants has resulted in widely varying levels of complexity, from the earliest algal mats, to bryophytes, lycopods, and ferns, to the complex gymnosperms and angiosperms of today. While many of the groups which appeared earlier continue to thrive, as exemplified by algal dominance in marine environments, more recently derived groups have also displaced previously ecologically dominant ones (for example, the ascendance of flowering plants over gymnosperms in terrestrial environments).

The establishment of a land-based flora caused increased accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, as the plants produced oxygen as a waste product. This rise in oxygen likely contributed to the evolution of life as we now know it.

Plants make our lives possible. Without the glucose they create through photosynthesis, and the oxygen they release into the air, it would be impossible for human life to continue on.

Contributors and Attributions

• Why It Matters: Plant Diversity. Authored by : Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Modification of Evolutionary history of plants. Provided by : Wikipedia. Located at : https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_history_of_plants . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Close Thistle. Authored by : etheriel. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : pixabay.com/en/plant-close-plants-thistle-tapera-1461109/. License : CC0: No Rights Reserved

Chapter 14: Introduction to Diversity of Plants

Plants play an integral role in all aspects of life on the planet, shaping the physical terrain, influencing the climate, and maintaining life as we know it. For millennia, human societies have depended on plants for nutrition and medicinal compounds, and for many industrial by-products, such as timber, paper, dyes, and textiles. Palms provide materials including rattans, oils, and dates. Wheat is grown to feed both human and animal populations. The cotton boll flower is harvested and its fibers transformed into clothing or pulp for paper. The showy opium poppy is valued both as an ornamental flower and as a source of potent opiate compounds.

Current evolutionary thought holds that all plants are monophyletic: that is, descendants of a single common ancestor. The evolutionary transition from water to land imposed severe constraints on the ancestors of contemporary plants. Plants had to evolve strategies to avoid drying out, to disperse reproductive cells in air, for structural support, and to filter sunlight. While seed plants developed adaptations that allowed them to populate even the most arid habitats on Earth, full independence from water did not happen in all plants, and most seedless plants still require a moist environment.

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Biology and the Citizen (2023) Copyright © 2022 by Utah State University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Plant Diversity

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Plant Diversity (formerly Plant Diversity and Resources) is an international plant science journal that publishes substantial original research and review papers thatadvance our understanding of the p...

Plant Diversity (formerly Plant Diversity and Resources ) is an international plant science journal that publishes substantial original research and review papers that

• advance our understanding of the past and current distribution of plants,
• contribute to the development of more phylogenetically accurate taxonomic classifications,
• present new findings on or insights into evolutionary processes and mechanisms that are of interest to the community of plant systematic and evolutionary biologists.

While the focus of the journal is on biodiversity, ecology and evolution of East Asian flora, it is not limited to these topics. Applied evolutionary issues, such as climate change and conservation biology, are welcome, especially if they address conceptual problems. Theoretical papers are equally welcome. Preference is given to concise, clearly written papers focusing on precisely framed questions or hypotheses. Papers that are purely descriptive have a low chance of acceptance.

Fields covered by the journal include:

• plant systematics and taxonomy
• evolutionary developmental biology
• reproductive biology
• phylo- and biogeography
• evolutionary ecology
• population biology
• conservation biology
• palaeobotany
• molecular evolution
• molecular biology
• comparative and evolutionary genomics

Plant Diversity publishes original articles, review articles, short letters, modeling/theory and methods articles, rapid reports and special thematic issues.

The journal is affiliated with Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Botanical Society of China.

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The Impact Factor measures the average number of citations received in a particular year by papers published in the journal during the two preceding years.

Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics, 2023)

CiteScore measures the average citations received per peer-reviewed document published in this title. CiteScore values are based on citation counts in a range of four years (e.g. 2019-2022) to peer-reviewed documents (articles, reviews, conference papers, data papers and book chapters) published in the same four calendar years, divided by the number of these documents in these same four years (e.g. 2019–2022).

Journal Citation Reports (Scopus, 2022)

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Comprehensive integration of single-cell transcriptomic data illuminates the regulatory network architecture of plant cell fate specification

Shanni Cao | Xue Zhao | Zhuojin Li | Ranran Yu | Yuqi Li | Xinkai Zhou | Wenhao Yan | Dijun Chen | Chao He

Island biogeography theory and the habitat heterogeneity jointly explain global patterns of Rhododendron diversity

Yanwei Guan | Yongru Wu | Zheng Cao | Zhifeng Wu | Fangyuan Yu | Haibin Yu | Tiejun Wang

Across two phylogeographic breaks: Quaternary evolutionary history of a mountain aspen (Populus rotundifolia) in the Hengduan Mountains

Jieshi Tang | Xiaoyan Fan | Richard I. Milne | Heng Yang | Wenjing Tao | Xinran Zhang | Mengyun Guo | Jialiang Li | Kangshan Mao

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1. Pollinator diversity benefits natural and agricultural ecosystems, environmental health, and human welfare

Daniel Mutavi Katumo | Huan Liang | Anne Christine Ochola | Min Lv | Qing-Feng Wang | Chun-Feng Yang

2. Plant diversity in a changing world: Status, trends, and conservation needs

Richard T. Corlett

3. Recent advances on phylogenomics of gymnosperms and a new classification

Yong Yang | David Kay Ferguson | Bing Liu | Kang-Shan Mao | Lian-Ming Gao | Shou-Zhou Zhang | Tao Wan | Keith Rushforth | Zhi-Xiang Zhang

ROS and oxidative burst: Roots in plant development

Anuj Choudhary | Antul Kumar | Nirmaljit Kaur

V.PhyloMaker2: An updated and enlarged R package that can generate very large phylogenies for vascular plants

Yi Jin | Hong Qian

Ethiopian vegetation types, climate and topography

Mengesha Asefa | Min Cao | Yunyun He | Ewuketu Mekonnen | Xiaoyang Song | Jie Yang

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Call for Papers

Special issue on plant diversity changes in qtp since the anthropocene.

Submissions close: 28 February 2023

Orchids in China: Biodiversity and Conservation

Special issue on ethnobotany: the future of plant conservation.

Scientists present the first set of global maps showing geographic patterns of beta-diversity in flowering plants

One of the Oldest Land Plant Lineages, Clubmosses (Selaginella) are Re-classified

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Related journals.

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ISSN: 2468-0141

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ISSN: 2369-9698

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Here is your short essay on Plant Diversity

There are nearly 3, 92,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants which have been identified.

Depicts details on the total number of plant species recorded so far and the number believed to exist on earth. The number of plant species that occur in India is more than 45,000, which represent nearly 12 percent of recorded flora of the world.

The huge number of plant species inhabiting the earth show great diversity with respect to their habit, habitat, structure, function and life-span.

They range in size from microscopic bacteria, some of which are some thousandth of cm in diameter, to giant Sequoias which grow to more than loom, in height and may weigh more than 1000 tons. A giant Californian Sequoia may probably be more than 3500 years old. There are certain coniferous plants which are more than several hundred years old.

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Plant form varies with varying environmental conditions. Plants that grow in dry areas and swampy areas vary distinctly. The same comparison can be made between plants found in tropical and polar climates.

The soil factors, wind conditions and the duration of sunlight also determine the forms of vegetation. For example, the sandy soil of coastal plains does not hold water very well. Thus, it can support plants whose leaves are much reduced or modified. But the broad-leaved trees grow better in the soil with more humus.

The origin of plants continues to be a debatable question. Fossil data indicate that the plants have originated nearly 2 billion years back.

In this long span of time, many plants have originated, many more evolved into complex, better adapted ones and still many unknown number who failed to evolve with time have become extinct. At present the large numbers of plants that surround us are the products of this evolutionary process.

The most primitive and the smallest plants in terms of their structural simplicity are the bacteria and algae. Bacteria are mainly known for the diseases they cause to humans and role played in decay and decomposition of organic materials.

The algae, on the other hand, are the simplest photosynthetic plants. However, the term algae do not refer to a single group of plants but to a multitude of its representatives who vary primarily on the basis of pigmentation, complexity of form and elaboration of process of reproduction.

Fungi like the algae are primitive on the scale of plant evolution. These are however, non chlorophylls plants and live as parasites or saprophytic ally on dead, decaying organic debris.

They seem to have an evolutionary development parallel with algae. Lichen is a dual organism, where an association is formed between algae and fungi. Some fungi are synonymous with plant diseases yet others are important in baking industry, alcohol production and in manufacture of antibiotics.

The plants discussed so far, are really numerous and diverse. But the common man is not familiar with these small inconspicuous diverse worlds of plants. To him the term plants refer to some familiar, green leafy land habiting organisms. However, land plants evolved considerably later in comparison to aquatic algae.

During this transition from water to land, it appears that evolution has occurred in two distinct lines. One of these was appearance of conducting or vascular tissues. These plants reached great degree of diversity in form and function. In second line, no specialized vascular or supporting tissues developed and these plants gave rise to no other new forms. Modern descendants of the latter are liverworts, hornworts and mosses. These are collectively called as bryophytes.

These are most primitive of green land plants, predominantly amphibious in habit. Individually, the bryophytes are small inconspicuous and often seen growing in clusters. The vascular plants which represent another line of evolution from the primitive aquatic plants are more than 400 million year old. Club mosses, horsetails, ferns form the conspicuous representative of this type of organisms.

In course of time, a few vascular plants started to produce seeds. Among the earliest seed plants are the pines, cycads, fir trees etc. collectively called gymnosperms? Following these, a special type of flowering plants made its appearance.

These are closed seeded; they are now the dominating forms of plant life. They are not only the highest forms of plant life, but the most diversified and widespread, as well.

A brief survey of plant kingdom shows that some plants may lack roots, stems and leaves, others are non green, some do no, contain the supporting and conducting system Some do not form seeds, other have naked seeds and some plants have flowers, from winch.

Seeds with integument, called fruits develop. Again, the world of plants shows a great diversity in their life cycle pattern. The simplest and earliest forms have haploid plant bodies called thalli, i.e. the gametophyte or haploid or n phase is quite evident in the life cycle. However, saprophyte or diploid or 2n phase is only restricted to zygote or the fusion products of sexual reproductive unit.

These diploid or saprophytic or zygotic phase is very Short lived and never becomes a free living plant at maturity. It undergoes meiosis or reduction division to produce the haploid, free living and independent phase.

When the life cycle pattern of bryophytes are considered, one will find that the plant body is more complex foliose and haploid. However, bryophytes along with saprophytic generation are never an independent, free living plant at maturity. In contrast, the pteridophytes are diploid or saprophytic generation is more prominent and independent.

In the flowering plants like gymnosperms and angiosperms, the saprophytic or diploid (2n) generation reached its zenith of elaboration and gametophytic or haploid (n) generation is parasitic upon it.

They are in the form of gametes. The condition is just the reverse of the pattern of life cycle seen among the thallophytic like algae of fungi. Among the individual divisions of plants like algae or fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes etc. great degree of diversity in life cycle pattern is also observed.

Related Articles:

• Essay on the Classification Of Plant Kingdom
• Short essay on India as Mega-Diversity Nation
• Short Notes on Diversity of Plant Life
• Short essay on Division – Bryophyte

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• How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on November 1, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Table of contents

What is a diversity essay, identify how you will enrich the campus community, share stories about your lived experience, explain how your background or identity has affected your life, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Diversity essays ask students to highlight an important aspect of their identity, background, culture, experience, viewpoints, beliefs, skills, passions, goals, etc.

Diversity essays can come in many forms. Some scholarships are offered specifically for students who come from an underrepresented background or identity in higher education. At highly competitive schools, supplemental diversity essays require students to address how they will enhance the student body with a unique perspective, identity, or background.

In the Common Application and applications for several other colleges, some main essay prompts ask about how your background, identity, or experience has affected you.

Why schools want a diversity essay

Many universities believe a student body representing different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community.

Through the diversity essay, admissions officers want students to articulate the following:

• What makes them different from other applicants
• Stories related to their background, identity, or experience
• How their unique lived experience has affected their outlook, activities, and goals

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Think about what aspects of your identity or background make you unique, and choose one that has significantly impacted your life.

For some students, it may be easy to identify what sets them apart from their peers. But if you’re having trouble identifying what makes you different from other applicants, consider your life from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t presume your lived experiences are normal or boring just because you’re used to them.

Some examples of identities or experiences that you might write about include the following:

• Race/ethnicity
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Nationality
• Socioeconomic status
• Immigration background
• Religion/belief system
• Place of residence
• Family circumstances
• Extracurricular activities related to diversity

Include vulnerable, authentic stories about your lived experiences. Maintain focus on your experience rather than going into too much detail comparing yourself to others or describing their experiences.

Keep the focus on you

Tell a story about how your background, identity, or experience has impacted you. While you can briefly mention another person’s experience to provide context, be sure to keep the essay focused on you. Admissions officers are mostly interested in learning about your lived experience, not anyone else’s.

When I was a baby, my grandmother took me in, even though that meant postponing her retirement and continuing to work full-time at the local hairdresser. Even working every shift she could, she never missed a single school play or soccer game.

She and I had a really special bond, even creating our own special language to leave each other secret notes and messages. She always pushed me to succeed in school, and celebrated every academic achievement like it was worthy of a Nobel Prize. Every month, any leftover tip money she received at work went to a special 509 savings plan for my college education.

When I was in the 10th grade, my grandmother was diagnosed with ALS. We didn’t have health insurance, and what began with quitting soccer eventually led to dropping out of school as her condition worsened. In between her doctor’s appointments, keeping the house tidy, and keeping her comfortable, I took advantage of those few free moments to study for the GED.

In school pictures at Raleigh Elementary School, you could immediately spot me as “that Asian girl.” At lunch, I used to bring leftover fun see noodles, but after my classmates remarked how they smelled disgusting, I begged my mom to make a “regular” lunch of sliced bread, mayonnaise, and deli meat.

Although born and raised in North Carolina, I felt a cultural obligation to learn my “mother tongue” and reconnect with my “homeland.” After two years of all-day Saturday Chinese school, I finally visited Beijing for the first time, expecting I would finally belong. While my face initially assured locals of my Chinese identity, the moment I spoke, my cover was blown. My Chinese was littered with tonal errors, and I was instantly labeled as an “ABC,” American-born Chinese.

I felt culturally homeless.

Speak from your own experience

Highlight your actions, difficulties, and feelings rather than comparing yourself to others. While it may be tempting to write about how you have been more or less fortunate than those around you, keep the focus on you and your unique experiences, as shown below.

I began to despair when the FAFSA website once again filled with red error messages.

I had been at the local library for hours and hadn’t even been able to finish the form, much less the other to-do items for my application.

I am the first person in my family to even consider going to college. My parents work two jobs each, but even then, it’s sometimes very hard to make ends meet. Rather than playing soccer or competing in speech and debate, I help my family by taking care of my younger siblings after school and on the weekends.

“We only speak one language here. Speak proper English!” roared a store owner when I had attempted to buy bread and accidentally used the wrong preposition.

In middle school, I had relentlessly studied English grammar textbooks and received the highest marks.

Leaving Seoul was hard, but living in West Orange, New Jersey was much harder一especially navigating everyday communication with Americans.

After sharing relevant personal stories, make sure to provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your perspective, activities, and goals. You should also explain how your background led you to apply to this university and why you’re a good fit.

Include your outlook, actions, and goals

Conclude your essay with an insight about how your background or identity has affected your outlook, actions, and goals. You should include specific actions and activities that you have done as a result of your insight.

One night, before the midnight premiere of Avengers: Endgame , I stopped by my best friend Maria’s house. Her mother prepared tamales, churros, and Mexican hot chocolate, packing them all neatly in an Igloo lunch box. As we sat in the line snaking around the AMC theater, I thought back to when Maria and I took salsa classes together and when we belted out Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” at karaoke. In that moment, as I munched on a chicken tamale, I realized how much I admired the beauty, complexity, and joy in Maria’s culture but had suppressed and devalued my own.

The following semester, I joined Model UN. Since then, I have learned how to proudly represent other countries and have gained cultural perspectives other than my own. I now understand that all cultures, including my own, are equal. I still struggle with small triggers, like when I go through airport security and feel a suspicious glance toward me, or when I feel self-conscious for bringing kabsa to school lunch. But in the future, I hope to study and work in international relations to continue learning about other cultures and impart a positive impression of Saudi culture to the world.

The smell of the early morning dew and the welcoming whinnies of my family’s horses are some of my most treasured childhood memories. To this day, our farm remains so rural that we do not have broadband access, and we’re too far away from the closest town for the postal service to reach us.

Going to school regularly was always a struggle: between the unceasing demands of the farm and our lack of connectivity, it was hard to keep up with my studies. Despite being a voracious reader, avid amateur chemist, and active participant in the classroom, emergencies and unforeseen events at the farm meant that I had a lot of unexcused absences.

Although it had challenges, my upbringing taught me resilience, the value of hard work, and the importance of family. Staying up all night to watch a foal being born, successfully saving the animals from a minor fire, and finding ways to soothe a nervous mare afraid of thunder have led to an unbreakable family bond.

Our farm is my family’s birthright and our livelihood, and I am eager to learn how to ensure the farm’s financial and technological success for future generations. In college, I am looking forward to joining a chapter of Future Farmers of America and studying agricultural business to carry my family’s legacy forward.

Tailor your answer to the university

After explaining how your identity or background will enrich the university’s existing student body, you can mention the university organizations, groups, or courses in which you’re interested.

Maybe a larger public school setting will allow you to broaden your community, or a small liberal arts college has a specialized program that will give you space to discover your voice and identity. Perhaps this particular university has an active affinity group you’d like to join.

Demonstrating how a university’s specific programs or clubs are relevant to you can show that you’ve done your research and would be a great addition to the university.

At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to study engineering not only to emulate my mother’s achievements and strength, but also to forge my own path as an engineer with disabilities. I appreciate the University of Michigan’s long-standing dedication to supporting students with disabilities in ways ranging from accessible housing to assistive technology. At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to receive a top-notch education and use it to inspire others to strive for their best, regardless of their circumstances.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

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