Lycophytes are a group of vascular plants that include species like clubmosses, spike mosses, and quillworts. They are characterized by their small, scale-like leaves and their ability to reproduce via spores rather than seeds. Lycophytes are among the oldest groups of land plants, with a history dating back over 400 million years. These plants typically thrive in moist environments, such as forests and wetlands. Lycophytes play an important role in their ecosystems by contributing to soil formation and providing habitat for various organisms. Their unique reproductive structures, called strobili, help in the dispersal of spores.