Question

Which one among the following groups of plants is placed in the beginning of Engler and Prantl's system of classification?

• A. Plants with flowers having polypetalous corolla
• B. Plants with flowers having gamopetalous corolla
• C. Plants with flowers which are naked, unisexual and simple
• D. Plants with flowers having monochlamydeous perianth

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Engler and Prantl's system of classification was jointly published in monumental work Die Naturlichen pflanzenfamilien in 1892. It is the first phylogenetic system of classification which includes all the plants from algae to angiosperms arranged in an evolutionary sequence from simplicity to complexity. Their system was based on that of Eichler. The phanerogams were divided into Gymnospermae and Angiospermae.
According to their classification system:
The angiosperms have a polyphyletic origin from some unknown fossil gymnosperm.
- The simplest angiospermic flower consisting of only the essential whorls (without calyx and corolla i.e., naked) is the most primitive one.
- Unisexual flowers are more primitive than the bisexual flowers.
- The gamopetalous corolla has originated from the polypetalous one.