[Campbell Biology P.681] Which of the following characteristics is unique to whisk ferns gen... | Practice Question

Which of the following characteristics is unique to whisk ferns genus Psilotum and their close relatives, distinguishing them from most other seedless vascular plants described in the text?

  • A: Their sporophytes grow underground.
  • B: They possess megasporophylls.
  • C: Their stems have dichotomous branching but lack true roots.
  • D: They are homosporous and produce bisexual gametophytes above ground.

Explanation

The text explicitly states for whisk ferns: 'sporophytes of whisk ferns genus Psilotum have dichotomously branching stems but no roots.' This absence of roots and the specific branching pattern are key distinguishing features.