What type of plants lack true vascular tissue, roots, stems, or leaves?

Nonvascular plants are characterized by the absence of true vascular tissue, which includes specialized structures for transporting water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant. This group includes mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Instead of roots, stems, or leaves as found in vascular plants, nonvascular plants often possess structures that resemble these organs but lack the complex tissues. For instance, they may have rhizoids instead of roots to anchor them but do not absorb water and nutrients in the same way true roots do. Their simpler structure limits their size and habitat, as they rely on diffusion for the movement of substances and are often found in moist environments.

In contrast, vascular plants have developed systems that enable them to grow larger and thrive in a wider variety of environments, thanks to their roots, stems, and leaves which allow for the efficient transport of resources. Seed plants and flowering plants are specific categories within the vascular plant classification, further distinguishing them from nonvascular types.