Which is rootless fern?

Concept-

• Plants are divided into five groups- Thallophytes, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
• They are the first terrestrial plants to acquire vascular tissues – xylem and phloem.
• Pteridophytes have two groups-
  • The majority of the pteridophytes are homosporous eg. Psilotum, Adiantum, and Equisetum. 
  • While some pteridophytes are exceptionally heterosporous eg. Selaginella, Azolla, Salvinia, and Marsilea.

Explanation-

• Pteridophytes are commonly known as Ferns.
• Ferns form the largest group of pteridophytes called Pteropsida.
• Example: Azolla, Salvinia
• The plant's body is differentiated into roots, stems, and leaves and has specialized tissue for the conduction of water and other substances from one part of the plant body to another.
• Roots are absent in Salvinia.

Thereby rootless fern is Salvinia.

Additional Information

• Dryopteris is also called as Brook shield fern'.
• Adiantum is called a walking fern.
• Pteris, commonly known as the Chinese brake.