Question

Plants that produce characteristic pneumatophores and show vivipary, belong to:

• A. Halophytes
• B. Psammophytes
• C. Hydrophytes
• D. Mesophytes

Answer 1

The correct option is A Halophytes

Pneumatophores are specialized root structures that grow out from the water surface and facilitate the aeration necessary for the root. These are the adaptations that are exhibited by mangroves that are found growing in the marshy and saline areas. Saline water has little or no oxygen which is not conducive for seeds to germinate and establish. To overcome this, mangrove species have a unique way of reproduction, which is generally known as vivipary. In this method of reproduction, seeds germinate and develop into seedlings while the seeds are still attached to the parent tree. These seedlings are normally called as propagules and they photosynthesize while still attached to the mother tree. The parent tree supplies water and necessary nutrients. They are buoyant and float in the water for sometime before rooting themselves on suitable soil. So here, we can come to the conclusion that halophytes exhibit characteristic pneumatophores and show vivipary. Psammophytes are plants that thrive in shifting sands, primarily in deserts.
Hydrophytes are plants that have special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface.
Mesophytes are plants are terrestrial plants which are adapted to neither a particularly dry nor particularly wet environment.