Question

Vivipary is a characteristic feature of

• A. Mesophytes
• B. Xerophytes
• C. Halophytes
• D. Phreatophytes

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Halophytes

Vivipary is a special type of seed germination where the seed begins to germinate while still attached to the parent plant. The embryo grows out of the fruit to form a seedling (known as a propagule) before it drops.

Halophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in high-salinity environments, such as mangroves in coastal intertidal zones or salt marshes. In these environments, if a regular seed were to drop, the high salt content in the soil or water would prevent it from germinating. Vivipary is an essential adaptation for halophytes, particularly mangroves (like Rhizophora), because it allows the embryo to complete a significant amount of its development and growth using the parent plant's resources, bypassing the severe environmental stress of the saline, waterlogged soil and increasing the chances of survival when the well-developed seedling finally detaches.