The segment provides an overview of non-flowering plants, known as cryptogams, which reproduce using spores rather than seeds. It categorises them into bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts), pteridophytes (ferns and horsetails), and other organisms like fungi, lichens, moulds, and algae. 

While these plants often go unnoticed, the text highlights their critical roles in soil formation, water retention, carbon sequestration, and supporting biodiversity. It further explains their unique characteristics and life cycles, showcasing the fascinating diversity of the plant kingdom beyond flowering plants.