Cycadophyta


 * Cycadophyta**


 * Definitions:**
 * Cycadophyta:** a phylum of seed plants usually noted for their thick, ligneous trunks and tough evergreen leaves.


 * Ligneous:** of or pertaining to wood; woody; a woody plant.

**Leaves:** The leaves on cycadophyta are typically evergreen. Evergreen leaves stay green the whole year, instead of being seasonal, as the name implies.


 * Cyanobacteria:**

This plant phylum has been around for millions of years. Having about 250 different species around the world, these plants have some of the most unique characteristics in the plant kingdom. Most of the species in this phylum reside in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They have evergreen leaves, and do not molt, or change due to season. This phylum does not have flowering species nor do they have fruit. One argument or thought about this phylum is the relevance to the coconut tree. Though they are the same (palm and coconut) they are in two different phylums.
 * General:**

There are three family types in this phylum:
 * Types:**
 * Cycadaceae:** This is the family of the palm tree. A non flowering plant that is bare on leaves. The branches are widely spread throughout the trunk, and the tree reproduces through cones. These plants are palm like, and stay the same color everyday of the year.


 * Zamiaceae:** This family is also palm like. They have sparce branches, and stay green throughout the year. The difference between this family and the
 * Cycadaceae** is that this family is above ground and usually grows to a tall height. Their roots are small and have secondary levels of roots to keep the tree healthy and strong.


 * Stangeriaceae:** Fern like plants with a naked subterranean stem.

Secondary roots are found on all Cycads. They form masses of lightly colored, club shaped structures, at the surface of the soil. Usually containing **cyanobacteria**, they are important in nitrogen fixation.
 * Roots:**

Because this phylum is made mostly of trees or tree like plants, the trunk is what you would look at. The trunk is thick and sturdy. The dark is frayed and strong. If you have ever noticed a palm tree and looked at its trunk you may see the roofing like shingles that make up the trunk of the tree.
 * Stem:**

All leaves on this phylum are palm like and spread out. They are scarce on the trunk or stem of the actual species, but they are present.
 * Leaves:**

@http://www.users.muohio.edu/smithhn/cycad.htm @http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/PlantNet/cycad/foss.html @http://informedfarmers.com/cycads/ http://www.users.muohio.edu/smithhn/cycad.htm http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/cycad.htm http://www.conifers.org/za/Zamiaceae.php http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/PlantNet/cycad/stangeri.html
 * External Links:**

"Cycadophyta." //Www.users.muohio.edu//. Web. 26 May 2011. . "The Cycad Pages." //PlantNET Home Page - National Herbarium of New South Wales//. Web. 26 May 2011. . "Cycads « Informed Farmers." //Welcome to the Informed Farmer « Informed Farmers//. Web. 26 May 2011. . "Cycadophyta." //Www.users.muohio.edu//. Web. 26 May 2011. . "Non-Flowering Plant Families, UH Botany." //Welcome to University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany//. Web. 26 May 2011.  "Zamiaceae (Sago-palm Family) Description." //The Gymnosperm Database: Home Page//. Web. 26 May 2011. .
 * Sources:**

Emily Mourraille Taylor Voss Alex Parks
 * Authors:**