Question

According to Engler and Prantl, the angiosperms were directly derived from:
a. Gymnosperms
b. Bryophytes
c. Pteridophytes
d. Proto-angiosperms (hypothetical)

Answer 1

Hint: Adolf Engler devised the one of the prime systems of plant taxonomy and was featured in two major taxonomic books he authored or co authored. Engler started his work from the Eichler’s classification who was the first to use phylogenetic principles in classifying plants.

Complete answer:
Adolf Engler was a German botanist who worked at the University of Berlin as professor of Botany and director of Botanical Gardens from 1889 to 1921. His phylogenetic system of classification was published as a guide to the botanical garden of Breslau in 1892. Later, this system expanded for the identification of genera of the whole plant kingdom. 23 volumes and many supplements were produced as a result of this classification. They have classified 303 flowering families till now. Eugen Prantl collaborated with Engler to complete this work. The families were arranged in increasing complexity of the flower, fruit and seed development according to this system.

Some of the features of Engler and Prantl system were:
- This system was based on the Eichler’s system of classification that used the evolutionary system of classification. The evolutionary system was based on the Darwin Theory of evolution.
- The gymnosperms were thought to be more primitive than angiosperms. Thus, they were placed before angiosperms, and it was believed that angiosperms were derived from gymnosperms by the process of evolution.

Hence, The correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Merits of Engler and Prantl’s system of classification are: This system completely abolished the artificial group Monochlamydeae of Bentham and Hooker’s system and redistributed the families among more related groups Archichlamydeae. This system treats the members of gymnosperms separately. In addition, the families having inferior ovaries are kept in last and are treated separately.

Whereas demerits of this system are that the group Amentiferae or catkin bearers are regarded to be the most primitive ones but these are reduced form rather than a primitive one. Also, it suggests that the parietal placentation is derived from axile placentation and free-central placentation is derived from parietal placentation. In addition, it says that bisexual flowers evoluted from unisexual flowers. Further, monocots are believed to be more primitive than dicots, which is completely controversial.

Note: Engler and Prantl’s original classification was natural and was based on numerous characters. They arranged the simple plants first and moved onto complex ones as they believed that simple plants with few parts were most primitive. It was based on phylogenetic classification. Their classification system became the basis of arrangement of plants in herbarium.