Question

Why pteridophytes are called botanical snakes?

Answer 1

Pteridophytes are included under the division Pteridophyta in the Kingdom Plantae. They are also called cryptogams because their sex organs are hidden. There is no formation of flowers and seeds in pteridophytes. Thus, they are non-seed bearing plants.

Complete answer:
The Pteridophytes usually grow in cool and shady places. However, some can thrive in sandy conditions. They are the true land plants that possess vascular tissues for the conduction of food, water and minerals. They reproduce by the formation of spores. Spores are formed in sporangia which are present on leaf-like structures called sporophylls. Most of the Pteridophytes produce similar kinds of spores e.g. Equisetum. They are called homosporous. In Selaginella, two different kinds of spores are produced which on germination give rise to male and female gametophytes. They are called heterosporous plants.

The sporophytic phase is the dominant phase in the life cycle of Pteridophytes. The sporophytes constitute the main plant body of Pteridophytes which consists of true roots, stems and leaves. The gametophyte is a short-lived and simple prothallus. In some Pteridophytes, the leaves are small called microphylls while in some; the leaves are large and called macrophytes. Selaginella and Equisetum are examples of Pteridophytes.

The snakes are included under the class Reptilia in the Kingdom Animalia. The snakes are considered the first true land animals. In a similar way, the Pteridophytes are the first terrestrial plants that evolved from the bryophytes. Hence, they are called botanical snakes or snakes of the plant kingdom.

Note: The Pteridophytes are economically very important. They have ornamental value and hence, used for decorative purposes, grown in gardens and houses. Azolla is an aquatic Pteridophyte that is used as a biofertilizer. They are used as food and medicine. They act as soil binders in hilly areas. Some of them act as bioindicators which indicate environmental health and hence, used for research purposes.