Question

Cycas is a: ____.

• A. Bryophyte
• B. Pteridophyte
• C. Gymnosperm
• D. Angiosperm

Hint:

Remember the two main examples of Gymnosperms highlighted in standard botany text: Cycas (unbranched stem, compound leaves) and Pinus (branched stem, needle-like leaves).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants characterized by naked ovules that are not enclosed within an ovary wall.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Cycas is a classic genus belonging to the division Gymnospermae (subgroup Cycadales). It has an unbranched stem and large, pinnately compound leaves that form a crown at the top, superficially resembling a palm tree. Because it does not produce flowers or fruits, its seeds develop exposed on specialized structures called megasporophylls rather than inside a fruit cavity.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Cycas is a Gymnosperm.