Which of the following are cryptogam?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Pteridophyta

Cryptogams are non-seed-producing plants that reproduce through spores rather than flowers or seeds. They include Thallophyta, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta. Among the given options, Pteridophyta is a cryptogam because it reproduces via spores and does not produce seeds or flowers.

Pteridophytes are considered the first true vascular plants as they possess xylem and phloem for water and nutrient conduction. Examples include ferns, Selaginella, and Equisetum.

Information Booster:

• Pteridophytes are found in moist and shady habitats as they require water for fertilization.
• They show alternation of generations, having a dominant sporophyte and a reduced gametophyte.
• They reproduce via spores, which are produced in sporangia.
• Ferns, horsetails, and club mosses belong to this group.
• Pteridophytes were among the first plants to colonize land and contribute to the formation of coal deposits.

Additional Information:

• Gymnosperms – Seed-producing, non-flowering plants (e.g., Pine, Cycas).
• Dicots – A subclass of Angiosperms with two cotyledons (e.g., Mango, Pea).
• Angiosperms – Flowering plants with seeds enclosed in fruit (e.g., Rose, Sunflower).