Question

Non-flowering plants are called
A. Cryptogams
B. Angiosperms
C. Phanerogams
D. Gymnosperms

Answer 1

Hint: In plants, flowers are the organs of sexual reproduction. The process of production of new plants by the fusion of male and female gametes is called sexual reproduction. Flowers are seen only in higher plants and not in lower plants.

Complete answer: Plants having poorly differentiated structures for reproduction are called cryptogams. Algae, bryophytes, and pteridophytes are examples of cryptogams. They are the non-flowering plants. Flowers are the organs of reproduction only in higher plants. Flowering plants are called angiosperms. Both gymnosperms and angiosperms can produce seeds. But seeds in gymnosperms are not covered. So, they are called naked seeded plants. In angiosperms, the seed is covered by the fruit. Phanerogams are seed-bearing plants. So, gymnosperms and angiosperms are examples of phanerogams.
Cryptogams can be found in a variety of habitats including land and water. Bryophytes are the kinds of cryptogams that are called the amphibians of the plant kingdom as they can survive both on plant and water. Cryptogams or non-flowering plants can reproduce in several manners like sexual and asexual reproduction. Some of them can even show alternation of generations in their life cycle.
Hence the correct option is A.

Note: Pteridophytes are called vascular cryptogams because they contain specialized structures for water transport like xylem and phloem. Pteridophytes are the most advanced flowerless and seedless plants. One must know that they form the largest living group of primitive vascular plants. They are often called the first land plants.