Question

In which plants are the ligulate leaves found?
A) Mosses
B) Selaginella
C) Fern
D) Pinus

Answer 1

Hint: A ligule is a thin outgrowth at the junction of leaf and leafstalk of many grasses and sedges. A ligule is also a strap-shaped extension of the corolla.

Complete answer:
Ligulate leaves are also known as club or spike moss. The leaves are generally simple, microphyllous and sessile. The lateral leaves are bigger compared to the dorsal leaves. Every leaf consists of a small scale on the adaxial surface which is known as ligule.
Now, let's analyze each option to find the correct option.
Option A: Mosses have leaves that spirally arranged and never lobed. Many mosses have Costa as well, which is a midrib of specialized cells that runs lengthwise through the leaf. So, option A is incorrect.
Option B: In Selaginella, ligules are found. Selaginella is a pteridophyte also known as spike moss or little club moss. Selaginella shows heterospory and they have ligulate leaves. So, option B is correct.
Option C: The leaves of ferns are often called fronds. Fronds are usually composed of a leafy blade and petiole. So, option C is incorrect.
Option D: The typical needle-shaped leaf is found in all species of the Pinaceae family and it is the arrangement of these needles in bundles or fascicles that is the most characteristic feature of the genus Pinus. So, option D is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Selaginella.

Note: Selaginella is commonly called 'spike moss'. They are distributed in humid temperate and tropical rainforests. Selaginella shows heterospory as well. In heterospory, two types of spores are formed by the same plant.