The central theme of Green Plants is the astonishing diversity of forms found in the plant kingdom. The book is arranged according to generally accepted classification schemes, beginning with prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae and moving through mosses, liverworts, fern allies, ferns and gymnosperms to flowering plants. Copiously illustrated throughout, it provides a concise account of all algae and land plants, with information on topics from cellular structure to life cycles and reproduction. The authors include newly emerging information on features of plants known only as fossils. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect current views on the origin of the major plant groups..