Question

Botanical Snakes are
a. Fungi
b. Bryophytes
c. Pteridophytes
d. Lichens

Answer 1

Hint: The life cycle of biological snakes is a heterologous diplohaplontic type. Gametophyte expands small sessile antheridia and partly embedded archegonia with a 4- rowed neck.

Complete answer:
Pteridophytes comprise the most primitive seedless vascular plants that replicate using spores.
Hence, they are called ‘vascular cryptogams’. Haeckel (1866) told these groups of plants as “Pteridophytes” due to their pinnate or feather-like fronds (leaves).

Similar to reptiles (first true land animals that evolved after amphibians) they are believed to be the first true land plants that evolved after bryophytes. For this reason, pteridophytes are sometimes titled “Botanical Snakes” or “Snakes of the plant kingdom.” They are also sometimes known as “Amphibians is of plant kingdom” because similar to bryophytes they depend on an outer source of water for fertilization.

Hence, The correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
Significant Features of Pteridophytes:
- Pteridophytes are the primary true land plants.
- They are seed-free, vascular cryptogams.
- The sporophyte is the main plant body while gametophyte is a small, simple prothallus.
- Sporophyte has true and proper roots, stem, and leaves.
- In xylem, trachea (vessels) not present, and, in phloem companion cells absent.
- Spores grown in sporangia are homosporous or heterosporous.
- Young leaves of sporophyte possess circinate vernation.

Note: The economic significance of Pteridophytes:
- Ornamental value: Ferns are grown-up as ornamental plants in gardens and houses for their elegant foliage.
- Drug: An antihelminthic drug is a yield by Rhizomes and petioles of Dryopteris.
- Food: Sporocarps of Marsilea are the richest source of starch and consumed for their nutritive value as food.