Streptophyta

Streptophyta or Streptophytina, informally the streptophytes (from the Greek strepto, for twisted, i.e., the morphology of the sperm of some members), is an unranked clade of plants. The composition of the clade varies considerably between authors. One common definition includes the land plants, the embryophytes (bryophytes and vascular plants) and the green algal group Charophyta, which includes the Mesostigmatales, Chlorokybales, Klebsormidiales, Zygnematales, Coleochaetales and Charales.

Classifications

The composition of the Streptophyta and similar groups (Streptophytina, Charophyta) varies in each classification. Some authors are more restrictive, including only the Charales and Embryophyta (e.g., Streptophyta Jeffrey 1967; Adl et al. 2012, Streptophytina Lewis & McCourt 2004), others include more groups (e.g., Charophyta Lewis & McCourt 2004; Karol et al. 2009; Adl et al. 2012, Streptophyta Bremer, 1985; de Reviers 2002; Leliaert et al. 2012, Streptobionta Kenrick & Crane 1997; some authors use this broader definition, but exclude the Embryophyta, e.g., Charophyta Cavalier-Smith 1993; Leliaert et al. 2012, Charophyceae Mattox & Stewart, 1984, Streptophycophytes de Reviers, 2002).