Question
Which of the following pair of characters distinguish Gnetum from Cycas and Pinus?
Abscence of resin duct and leaf venation
Prasence of vessel elements and absence of archegonia
Perianth and two integuments
Embryo development and apical meristem
Solution
B.
Prasence of vessel elements and absence of archegonia
Gnetum is a genus of gymonosperms, the sole genus in the family-Gnetaceae. They are tropical evergreen trees, shrubs and lianas. Unlike other gymnosperms like Cycas and Pinus, they possess vessel elements in the xylem and absence of archegonia. Some species are found to be insect pollinated also. Thus, show affinities with angiosperms.
