How many plants on Earth?

As per a research conducted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom, there are approximately 391,000 species of vascular plants known to science, with 369,000 (or 94 percent) being blooming plants. In addition, some 2,000 new plant species are found or described every year, many of which are already endangered. According to the best-known estimate, experts believe that 21% of all plant species, or one out of every five, are in danger of extinction.

What is the total number of plant species on the planet?

For the first time, scientists have assessed the status of all vascular plants on earth— i.e. all plants with specialised tissues that carry food and water (excluding algae, mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). According to the "State of the World's Plants" assessment published by researchers at the Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom, roughly 391,000 vascular plant species are known to science. Around 369,000 of these (or 94 percent) are flowering plants. The study contains baseline data on all vascular plants for the first time, including new plant discoveries and dangers.
The scientists discovered that there are currently 391,000 vascular plants known to science by searching numerous plant biodiversity databases, including the Plant List, the International Plant Names Index, and the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Every year, approximately 2,000 new plant species are found or described. But unfortunately, many of the newly described species are already endangered.

New plant species discoveries

A severely endangered, huge, heavy tree weighing around 105 metric tonnes, found in the Cameroon-Congolian African rainforest, was reported by scientists in 2015. The researchers say Oberholzeria etendekaensis, a succulent shrublet, is not only a new species but also a new genus. It's also a rare species, with only 30 individual plants known from a single location in Namibia.
According to the research, Australia, Brazil, and China are the top three sources for so many of the new species found each year. Indeed, according to the survey, Brazil has more seed plants than any other country on the planet, and knowledge of its flora is expanding at a "record-breaking" rate. Nearly 400,000 plant species share our space. However, only roughly 31,000 of these species have been documented so far. Human is getting all its useful commodities, food, medicine, and livestock feed, and building materials from different plant species.

The various plant species found on the planet

The globe is home to an astounding diversity of plants. Humans classify plants based on their characteristics. Researchers have used presence of seeds or vascular tissue as the most distinguishing feature to classify plants. These traits have led to the classification of plants into twelve separate phyla. Learning about the different sorts of plants, takes us on an evolutionary trip as plants evolved from watery systems and became more complex.

Plants that do not produce seeds

Algae: Algae are broadly classified into three categories i.e. red, green, and brown algae. They are called primitive plants since they thrive in water. Algae begin their lives as single-celled creatures developing in water. Plants that had evolved to a higher level of evolution had exited the water. Algae are capable of photosynthesis and do not produce seeds.

Liverworts: Liverworts are little plants that flourish in humid environments. This is because the vascular system that transports water from the roots to the leaves is absent from them.

Mosses: Mosses are related to liverworts and grow under similar conditions, such as wet regions near water sources. However, they do not require soil to develop, so you can see moss on rocks and trees. Mosses grow apically, which means their stems develop from their tips or other specific locations. This is also how flowering plants grow.

Fern: Ferns require damp conditions to reproduce as it requires the sperm cell to swim to the egg cell and unite with it. The resultant zygote develops into a new fern. On the other hand, ferns can withstand periods of low water better than mosses and worts. As a result, ferns controlled the land and were the most prevalent vegetation millions of years ago. As a result, massive fern forests could be found.

Plants that Produce seeds

Cycads: Cycads are palms with long, thin leaves and cones. They were common during the Paleozoic era, often known as the "Age of Cycads." They were common.

Ginkgo: Ginkgo trees have remained relatively unchanged since the Permian epoch. They yield meaty seeds with a pungent odour and have fan-shaped leaves. Ginkgo trees are only found naturally in China, although they have been planted in gardens worldwide.

Gnetophyta: The gymnosperm phylum Gnetophyta comprises three genera that are not closely connected. The largest genus, Ephedra, grows in deserts, whereas Welwitschia grows in southwestern Africa's deserts. The species' last genus is Gnetum.

The future of greenery

According to the most widely accepted estimate, 21 percent of all plant species, or one out of every five plant species, is on the verge of extinction. Large-scale habitat degradation for agriculture, such as for oil palm plantations, logging, cattle farming, as well as residential and commercial development, are the most serious concerns. Researchers discovered that mangroves and tropical pine forests have been the most affected by the rapid land cover change. Climate change, too, poses a concern, albeit a minor one at the moment. However, studies predict that it will become a greater hazard in the coming years.
Plant diversity, including multiple unique species, can still be found in some parts of the world. However, according to the research, only a few of them are legally protected. In addition, it has been found that 1,771 key plant locations around the world require immediate conservation intervention. The findings are depressing. However, scientists warn there is a still a wide knowledge gap that need to be filled.
The biggest plant in the world is Rafflesia Arnoldii, and the smallest flower in the world is watermeal, or Wolffia globosa. The General Sherman Tree, also known as the World's Largest Tree, is the world's largest tree.

Conclusion:

Presently, there are 391,000 species of vascular plants recognised by science. Around 369,000 (or 94 percent) of the total are flowering plants. In addition, 2,000 new plant species are discovered or described every year, many of which are threatened. The forest cover is decreasing with every passing day for different reasons and demands realistic actions.

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