Each plant or group of plants has some phylogenetic significance in relation to evolution : Cycas, one of the few living members of gymnosperms is called as the ‘relic of past’. Can you establish a phylogenetic relationship of Cycas with any other group of plants that justifies the above statement?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

• Cycas is the connecting link between Gymnosperms and Pteridophyte.

• It is placed under the division gymnosperm but due to following characters it resembles fern(pteridophyte):

a) It produces motile flagellated male gamete which resembles pteridophytes.

b) Armour of persistent leaf bases covers the columnar stem.

c) In Cycas revolute, marginal sori are present which resembles the coenosorus of Pteris.

d) Presence of bicelled hair called ramenta. Rachis of Pteris contains ramenta.