Which one of the following groups is called 'amphibians of plant kingdom'?

The correct answer is Bryophytes.

Explanation:

• Bryophytes include the various mosses and liverworts.
• These are non-vascular embryophytes, characterized by the presence of an independent gametophyte and parasitic sporophyte.
• Bryophytes commonly grow in moist, shaded areas in hills.
• These are called amphibians of the plant Kingdom because, these can live in soil, but are dependent on water for sexual reproduction.
• However, their sperms, known as antherozoids, are flagellate and require water to swim and reach the eggs in order to fertilize them. As a result, they require water for sexual reproduction.
• The plant body of bryophytes is more differentiated than that of algae.
• Ecological importance:
  • Some mosses provide food for herbaceous mammals, birds, and other animals.
  • Mosses along with lichens are the first organisms to colonize rocks. Hence, these help in biological succession.
  • Mosses form dense mats on the soil.
  • Marchantia has medicinal properties to cure lungs and liver infections. It also has anti-tumor properties.

Additional Information

• Thallophytes:
  • Thallophytes, also known as algae, are a primary division of the plant kingdom.
  • They lack stems, roots, leaves, and other vascular plant parts.
• Pteridophytes:
  • Pteridophytes are primitive seedless vascular plants also called cryptogams.
  • The pteridophytes are found in cool, damp shady places through some may flourish well in sandy-soil conditions.
• Gymnosperms:
  • Gymnosperms are plants in which the ovules are not enclosed by any ovary wall and remain exposed, both before and after fertilization.
  • These plants are mostly found in colder parts of the northern hemisphere, where they form extensive forests.
  • These are small groups of seed plants.