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Glite Dictionary
Sphenopsida

Sphenopsida

9.9
A group of plants with jointed stems that includes horsetails and extinct relatives
  • noun
  • /ˌsfɛnəˈpɪsɪdə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sphenopsida
  • The Sphenopsida are distinguished by their jointed stems and reduced leaves.

Examples

  • Modern horsetails are the only living descendants of the ancient Sphenopsida.

  • Fossils of Sphenopsida have been found in rocks dating back to the Devonian period.

  • The Sphenopsida class includes many ancient plants.

  • The Sphenopsida family is known for its jointed stems.

  • Fossils of Sphenopsida have been found in rocks dating back to the Devonian period.

  • Modern horsetails are the only living descendants of the ancient Sphenopsida.

  • The Sphenopsida are distinguished by their jointed stems and reduced leaves.

Synonyms

class Equisetatae
vsSphenopsida
  • Archaic
9.9

A former group of plants that included horsetails and extinct relatives

is the currently accepted class name for the same plants
Equisetatae
vsSphenopsida
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of non-flowering plants that includes horsetails and similar plants

includes extinct relatives rather than only living ones

Surface Forms

Sphenopsida singular
Sphenopsidas plural

Etymology

Sphenopsida comes from Greek parts sphen- meaning 'wedge' and -opsida meaning 'appearance'. A helpful way to remember it is to picture horsetails and their fossil relatives with jointed, stacked stems that look like a row of wedge-like parts, so the name fits this group of plants.