Question

Coralloid roots are found in:
1. Pinus
2. Lycopodium
3. Cycas
4. Dryopteris

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Cycas

Concept-

• Roots are the underground structures that help in the absorption of water and minerals, provide a proper anchorage to the plant parts, storage of reserve food material (Carrot, Radish), and synthesis of PGR (plant growth regulators).
• Sometimes roots get modified to perform different functions like Storage of food, respiration, climbing, etc.
• These types of roots are called modified roots.

Explanation-

• The Coralloid roots are the specialized roots found in cycas, these roots exhibit a symbiotic relationship between the cyanobacteria and cycas where the cyanobacteria fix the nitrogen and in return, the cycas provide a stable environment to live.
• Cycas, a genus of 105 species of palmlike tropical and subtropical ornamental cycads (family Cycadaceae), among them trees 12 meters (40 feet) or more in height. 
• Their leaves are dark green and circinate (uncoiling as fern leaves do), differing from those of other members of the family in having a midrib but no lateral veins. 
• The seeds are borne along the margins of modified leaves, which are arranged in a whorl at the top of the trunk, rather than in compact cones. 

Thereby coralloid roots are found in cycas.

• Lycopodiopsida
  • It is a class of herbaceous vascular plants known as lycopods, lycophytes.
  • Members of the class are called clubmosses, firmosses, and quillworts.
• Pine
  • A pine is any conifer in the genus Pinus of the family Pinaceae. Pinus is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae.
• Dryopteris
  • It is commonly called the wood ferns, male ferns, or buckler ferns is a fern genus in the family Dryopteridaceae.​