A botanist discovers a new species of plant in a tropical rain forest. After observing its anatomy and life cycle, he notes the following characteristics: flagellated sperm, xylem with tracheids, separate gametophyte and sporophyte generations with the sporophyte dominant, and no seeds. This plant is probably most closely related to

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The presence of flagellated sperm and the absence of seeds suggest that this plant belongs to a group that reproduces via spores, rather than via seeds. Additionally, the presence of tracheids in the xylem suggests that this plant has vascular tissue, ruling out mosses as an option. The separate gametophyte and sporophyte generations with the sporophyte dominant also suggest that this plant belongs to a group with alternation of generations, ruling out charophytes as an option. The absence of seeds rules out gymnosperms and flowering plants, leaving ferns as the best choice.

A Botanist Discovers a New Species of Plant in a Tropical