Are bryophytes first land plants?

Abstract

The hypotheses ofthe origin ofland plants are critically reviewed. We also reviewed various studies on evolution and phylogeny of bryophytes. However, we need more knowledge on the fossil bryophytes and pteridophytes to speculate the origin of land plants. In this report, we tried to illustrate possible courses of evolution of the first land plant from freshwater greenalgae, based on available information on algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes.