What defines vascular plants?

Vascular plants are defined by the presence of a specialized vascular system composed of tissue that facilitates the transport of water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant. This vascular system includes xylem, which is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, and phloem, which carries sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

The development of this vascular system allows plants to grow larger and inhabit a wider range of environments compared to non-vascular plants, such as mosses. Their ability to efficiently move fluids enables vascular plants to thrive in diverse habitats, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, although they are not limited to aquatic environments.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define vascular plants. Some non-vascular plants reproduce via spores, while others may live in aquatic environments, and the notion of plants not requiring water for growth is generally not applicable, as all plants need water in some form for survival and metabolic processes.