Spermatophyta (Gymnosperms and Angiosperms): In these plants, the sporophyte is the dominant, independent, photosynthetic phase. The gametophyte is highly reduced and entirely dependent on the sporophyte for nourishment and protection.

Bryophyta: Here, the gametophyte is dominant, and the sporophyte depends on the gametophyte.

Pteridophyta: Both the sporophyte and gametophyte are generally independent.

Cryptogams: This is a broad group including bryophytes and pteridophytes, but the trend of gametophyte dependency specifically increases with evolution towards seed plants.