Vascular Vs Nonvascular Plants Worksheets - Free Printable

Understanding the Task

This image is an educational activity from the VA Science SOL 5.5 – Plants, created by Gail Moore. The goal is to classify plants into two categories:

- Vascular Plants: These have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) that transport water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant.
- Nonvascular Plants: These lack vascular tissues and rely on diffusion for nutrient and water transport.

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Step-by-Step Classification

Let’s go through each plant and determine whether it's vascular or nonvascular.

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#### ✔ VASCULAR PLANTS (have xylem and phloem)

These include most plants we are familiar with — they are typically taller, have roots, stems, and leaves.

1. Grass → Vascular
- Has roots, stems, and leaves; transports water via vascular tissue.

2. Tree → Vascular
- Large, woody structure; has well-developed xylem and phloem.

3. Dandelion → Vascular
- Flowering plant with roots, stem, leaves; vascular system present.

4. Lily pads → Vascular
- Part of a water lily plant; has vascular tissues in stems and leaves.

5. Cactus → Vascular
- Despite being succulent, it has vascular tissues to transport water and nutrients.

6. Fern → Vascular
- Has roots, stems, and fronds; uses vascular tissue to move water and nutrients.

7. Herb → Vascular
- Herbaceous plants like basil or mint have vascular systems.

8. Corn → Vascular
- A monocot with vascular bundles in stems and roots.

9. Strawberries → Vascular
- Flowering plant with roots, stems, and leaves; vascular system present.

10. Wheat → Vascular
- Grass family; has vascular tissues.

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#### ✘ NONVASCULAR PLANTS (lack true vascular tissues)

These are small, low-growing plants that absorb water directly through their cells.

1. Liverwort → Nonvascular
- A bryophyte; lacks true roots, stems, leaves, and vascular tissue.

2. Moss → Nonvascular
- Another bryophyte; absorbs water directly; no vascular system.

3. Wild moss → Nonvascular
- Same as moss; nonvascular.

4. Hornwort → Nonvascular
- A type of bryophyte; no vascular tissue.

5. Moss (repeated) → Nonvascular
- Again, same as above.

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Final Classification

#### 🟢 VASCULAR PLANTS
- Grass
- Tree
- Dandelion
- Lily pads
- Cactus
- Fern
- Herb
- Corn
- Strawberries
- Wheat

#### 🔴 NONVASCULAR PLANTS
- Liverwort
- Moss
- Wild moss
- Hornwort
- Moss (duplicate)

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✔ Summary Table

| Plant | Classification |
|------------------|--------------------|
| Grass | Vascular |
| Tree | Vascular |
| Dandelion | Vascular |
| Lily pads | Vascular |
| Cactus | Vascular |
| Fern | Vascular |
| Herb | Vascular |
| Corn | Vascular |
| Strawberries | Vascular |
| Wheat | Vascular |
| Liverwort | Nonvascular |
| Moss | Nonvascular |
| Wild moss | Nonvascular |
| Hornwort | Nonvascular |

> Note: "Moss" appears twice in the list, but both should be classified as nonvascular.

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💡 Key Concept Reminder:

- Vascular plants have roots, stems, and leaves and use vascular tissues (xylem & phloem).
- Nonvascular plants are small, simple, and grow close to the ground (e.g., mosses, liverworts, hornworts).

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✔ Answer Check:

You would drag all the listed vascular plants into the green box and all nonvascular plants into the pink box.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable worksheet or interactive quiz!