Charophytes form sporopollenin and precursors of lignin, phragmoplasts, and have flagellated sperm. Charophytes share more traits with land plants than do other algae, according to structural features and DNA analysis.

Within the charophytes, the Charales, the Coleochaetales, and the Zygnematales have been each considered as sharing the closest common ancestry with the land plants. Land plants acquired traits that made it possible to colonize land and survive out of the water.

charophyte — other term for green algae; considered the closest relative of land plants. lignin — complex polymer impermeable to water. sporopollenin — tough polymer surrounding the spore. non-vascular plant — plant that lacks vascular tissue, which is formed of specialized cells for the transport of water and nutrients.