Talk:Thallus

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[edit] Tissue or taxon

From the references to fungi, kelp, and more, with further details at Thallophyte, it is clear that much of the significance of this term is obsolete (referring to structures which are evolutionarily different in origin, and, one imagines, different in the details of their anatomy). But does it also have a meaning which is more about the overall anatomy or function? Our article at riverweed even uses the term thalloid for a flowering plant (although I'm not sure whether that is common terminology these days). Kingdon 15:32, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

The term refers to a level of organization. That is, a plant (or alga, etc.) whose body is a thallus has no leaves, stems, etc (i.e. no vascular tissue). More generally, an organism is thalloid if there are no structures visible that resemble leaves, stems, roots. So a moss body is technically a thallus, but it is not thalloid. A riverweed is thalloid, but not technically a thallus. Duckweed is both thalloid and has a thallus (although evolutionarily reduced). --EncycloPetey 22:48, 15 November 2007 (UTC)