How are the criteria for deciding divisions in plants different from the criteria for deciding the subgroups among animals?

Plants are usually classified based on differences in their morphology such as differentiation of plant body, presence of seeds, seed coats and vascular system, etc. whereas, animals are classified based on their body design such as presence or absence of notochord.

The major divisions in the Kingdom Plantae are:

Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

(i) Thallophyta plants possess a simple body design that cannot be differentiated into roots, stems, and leaves.

(ii) Bryophyta plants can be differentiated into stem and leaf-like structures. These plants are devoid of vascular systems.

(iii) Pteridophyta plants can be well-differentiated into 3 different parts and possess a vascular system. Reproductive organs are not well-developed and seeds are not produced.

(iv) Gymnosperms plants possess well-developed reproductive organs but seeds are naked (without any seed coat).

(v) Angiosperms plants produce seeds with seed coats.