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Which one of the following phylogenetic trees correctly depicts the relationship between the given orders of pteridophytes, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group 1 (PPG I)?

Correct option is D

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The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group I (PPG I) system is a modern classification of ferns and lycophytes, based on molecular phylogenetics.Pteridophytes are divided into two major clades (groups):

1. Lycophytes (Lycopodiophyta) - Early Vascular Plants
2. Monilophytes (Ferns & Fern Allies) - More Advanced Group

Three Orders of Lycophytes in PPG I:

1. Lycopodiales (Club Mosses)
• Examples: Lycopodium, Huperzia
2. Selaginellales (Spike Mosses)
• Example: Selaginella
3. Isoetales (Quillworts)
• Example: Isoetes

Six Major Orders of Monilophytes in PPG I:

1. Ophioglossales (Adder’s Tongue & Moonwort Ferns)
• Example: Ophioglossum, Botrychium
2. Psilotales (Whisk Ferns - Simplified Ferns)
• Example: Psilotum
3. Equisetales (Horsetails)
• Example: Equisetum
4. Marattiales (Giant Ferns - Primitive Ferns)
• Example: Angiopteris, Marattia
5. Gleicheniales, Schizaeales, Salviniales (Tropical & Aquatic Ferns)
6. Polypodiales (True Ferns - Largest Fern Group)
• Example: Pteris, Polypodium, Dryopteris, Nephrolepis

Based on the classification ,only option 4 matches the classification.so option 4 is correct.