Question

How many of the following features are similar between Cyas and Pinus?
(a) Branched stem
(b) Needle like leaves
(c) Presence of archegonium
(d) Dioecious condition
(e) Sulphur shower
(f) Reduced male gametophyte

Answer 1

Both cycas and pinus may have branched stems. In cycas the stem may be branched or unbranched but pinus shows ex-current branching of stem. Cycas has large pinnate leaves and needle like leaves are only seen in pinus. Both cycas and pinus bear 2-3 archegonia. Cycas is dioecious while pinus is monoecious. Sulpher shower is a characteristic of pinus and is not seen in cycas. In pinus male gametophyte is reduced while in cycas it is large.

So, the features similar between cycas and pinus are: presence of archegonium and reduced male gametophyte