Question:

Which of the following gymnosperms is a bushy trailing shrub ?

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Ephedra is a bushy trailing, climbing, or creeping herbaceous gymnosperm. It is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs. It is a medication used to treat colds, hay fever, and asthma.

Therefore, the correct option is (A) Ephedra.

Updated On: May 26, 2024
  • Ephedra
  • Cycas
  • Pinus
  • Araucaria
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The correct option is: (A) Ephedra

Explanation: Almost all gymnosperms are perennial woody trees, and only a few are bushy, trailing shrubs. Examples include Ephedra and Gnetum.

Ephedra: Ephedra is a shrub of the genus Gymnosperm. It has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for many years in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.

Cycas: Cycas is a genus of gymnosperms; it is a type of seed plant called a Cycad. Cycads are not bushy, trailing gymnosperms; instead, they have a trunk or stem from which their leaves emerge (consisting of large compound leaves).

Pinus: Pinus belongs to the coniferous group of gymnosperms. They are well-known as pine trees, characterized by tall, straight trunks and needle-like leaves arranged in clusters. Pines are typically recognized for their cone-bearing structures.

Araucaria: Araucaria is a genus of coniferous trees belonging to the family Araucariaceae. These trees typically have a straight, upright trunk with branches radiating outward in a more or less regular pattern.

Therefore, the correct option is A) Ephedra.

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Concepts Used:

Plant Kingdom

The Plant Kingdom comprises all the plants that have some shared characteristics. These are bacteria (prokaryotes), photosynthetic plants, fungi, and several non-photosynthetic plants.

Read Also: Two Kingdom Classification

Several features of Kingdom Plantae are as follows:

  • They are stationary. They are static and usually remain in one place only.
  • They have branches that expanded and green leaves due to the presence of chlorophyll.
  • They are an autotrophic mode of nutrition that simply means they prepare their food with the help of water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. It is further known as self-nutrition.
  • They indulge in photosynthesis during the day and therefore more carbon dioxide is needed during the day and at night it is released.
  • They secure their food in the form of starch-like algae.
  • They have an inelastic wall around their cell known as a cell wall comprised of cellulose.
  • There is an absence of the nervous system and excretory system.
  • Reproduction is entirely dependent on air, insects and water. Asexual and vegetative method of reproduction is noticed or detected.
  • The non-photosynthetic plants acquire their food through parasitism, i.e through their host like Indian pipe.

Read More: Classification of Plants