[Campbell Biology P.698] Which statement accurately describes the classification of angiospe... | Practice Question

Which statement accurately describes the classification of angiosperms as presented in the 'Angiosperm Diversity' section?

  • A: The species traditionally called dicots form a monophyletic group, now known as eudicots.
  • B: Basal angiosperms include Amborella, water lilies, and star anise and relatives, having diverged early in the history of the group.
  • C: Monocots and eudicots are the only two main groups of flowering plants recognized today, based on recent DNA studies.
  • D: Magnoliids are informally called basal angiosperms because they evolved before other dicots.

Explanation

The 'Angiosperm Diversity' section explicitly states that 'Three of these lineages—Amborella, water lilies, and star anise and relatives—are informally called basal angiosperms because they diverged from other angiosperms early in the history of the group.' This matches option B.