Which type of plants were the first to form true leaves and roots?

Lycopods, also known as club mosses, are recognized as some of the earliest vascular plants that developed true leaves and roots. Unlike their non-vascular relatives, which depend on diffusion for nutrient and water transport, lycopods possess a vascular system that allows for more efficient transport and support. This adaptation is significant as it enables the plant to grow larger and colonize various terrestrial environments.

Their true leaves, known as microphylls, evolved from small outgrowths of the stem and are characterized by a single vascular vein. Additionally, their roots enable better anchorage and absorption of water and nutrients from the soil, which are vital for their survival and reproductive success in land ecosystems. Understanding the evolutionary trajectory of these plants provides insight into the development of more complex plant forms that followed in later evolutionary stages, such as ferns, angiosperms, and gymnosperms.