How does dichotomous branching shape lycophyte plants?

Dichotomous branching is a fundamental growth pattern in lycophytes where the shoot tip forks repeatedly, shaping the plant's overall architecture. This process influences the plant in several key ways:12

• Branch Symmetry: The resulting branches from a dichotomy may be equal in length or vary in size. In species with rhizomes, one branch often becomes larger and remains near the soil surface, while the shorter branch undergoes limited further dichotomies to produce strobili (cone-like reproductive structures).12
• Structural Diversity: This branching pattern supports various growth habits, ranging from erect, treelike forms—such as the ancient Lepidodendron—to prostrate, creeping, or epiphytic forms.12
• Root Development: Lycophyte roots also branch dichotomously, though they typically do not form an extensive root system. In Selaginella, specialized proplike structures called rhizophores originate at points of branching and fork dichotomously upon contacting a surface.2

Ultimately, this repeated forking defines the shoot system of these ancient vascular plants, distinguishing them from other plant groups that utilize different branching strategies.13