original: They are distinguished from the higher plants by a lack of true roots, stems or leaves.
simplifications: A difference can be seen from the higher plants by a lack of true roots, stems or leaves. They are different from higher plants. They lack true roots, stems or leaves. They are different from the higher plants because they don't have roots, stems or leaves. They are different from the higher plants. They lack true roots, stems, or leaves. They differ from the higher plants in that they don't have true roots, stems or leaves. They are different from the higher plants because they do not have true roots, stems or leaves. They are different from the higher plants due to a lack of true roots, stems or leaves. They are distinguished from the higher plants as they don't have true roots, stems or leaves. They differ from higher plants because they lack real roots, stems and leaves. The higher plants have true roots, stems or   leaves. And these plants do not have them.