DENDROLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -There are two phases in the life cycle of a whisk fern. The large asexual plants (sporophytes) produce spores that develop into very small colourless sexual plants (gametophytes), which are similar to rhizomes in overall appearance. Eggs and sperm are produced in special structures on their surfaces.

Detailed explanation-2: -Whisk ferns in the genus Psilotum lack true roots but are anchored by creeping rhizomes. The stems have many branches with paired enations, which look like small leaves but have no vascular tissue. Above these enations there are synangia formed by the fusion of three sporangia and which produce the spores.

Detailed explanation-3: -What we see when we are looking at a whisk fern is the sporophyte generation. Like all sporophytes, its job is to produce the spores that will go on to make new whisk ferns.

Detailed explanation-4: -They use spores for reproduction instead of cones or flowers. For example, whisk ferns (Psilotum nudum) are seedless, rootless, leafless ancient vascular plants that carry out photosynthesis via their green stems.