(b) 2 only
The ferns are most commonly planted of shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones.
Ecologically, the ferns are most commonly plants of shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones.
Some fern species grow equally well on soil and upon rocks; others are confined strictly to rocky habitats, where they occur in fissures and crevices of cliff faces, boulders, and taluses.
Hence 1 is incorrect.
Moss is a small flowerless green plant that lacks true roots, growing in damp habitats and reproducing by means of spores released from stalked capsules.
Moss grows on any substrate. Soil helps increase humidity, but it has no nutrient value for moss.
As moss has rhizoids, anything it can attach its rhizoids to is a suitable
base. It will grow without soil.
Hence 3 is correct.
Mushroom, the conspicuous umbrella-shaped fruiting body (sporophore) of certain fungi.
Mushrooms can form a symbiotic relationship with trees. Mushrooms can also be grown hydroponically as fungi.
Most of the time, they grow in healthy soil. However, they could be growing because the soil contained spores, the environment is allowing for their growth or the plants are being overwatered.
Hence 4 is incorrect.
Lichens are a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga.
The dominant partner is the fungus, which gives the lichen the majority of its characteristics, from its thallus shape to its fruiting bodies.
The alga can be either a green alga or a blue-green alga, otherwise known as cyanobacteria.
Lichens are slow-growing that typically form a low crusty, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees.
Hence 2 is correct.
