Q.47 Which of the following does NOT use xylem to transport water?
(A) Miscanthus
(B) Marchantia
(C) Selaginella
(D) Magnolia

The correct answer is: (B) Marchantia.
Marchantia is a non‑vascular bryophyte and therefore does not possess xylem for water transport; it relies on simple cell‑to‑cell diffusion and capillarity through its tissues.

Why Marchantia Is the Correct Answer

• Marchantia is a liverwort, placed under bryophytes, which are non‑vascular plants.

• Non‑vascular plants lack true xylem and phloem, so they cannot conduct water through vascular tissues the way ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms do.

• In Marchantia, water moves mainly by:

  • Simple diffusion from cell to cell

  • Thin films of water across the moist surface of the thallus

• Because Marchantia completely lacks xylem, it does not use xylem to transport water, making option (B) the only correct choice.

Explanation of Each Option

(A) Miscanthus

• Miscanthus is a tall perennial grass belonging to the family Poaceae (angiosperms).

• As a flowering plant, Miscanthus is a vascular plant; it has well‑developed xylem and phloem in its stems and leaves.

• Water and dissolved minerals are transported from roots to aerial parts via xylem vessels and tracheids.

• Therefore, Miscanthus does use xylem to transport water, so option (A) is incorrect.

(B) Marchantia – Correct

• Marchantia is a bryophyte (liverwort) with a flat, thalloid body and no true roots, stems, or leaves.

• Bryophytes do not possess vascular tissues like xylem and phloem.

• Water conduction occurs over short distances through:

  • Surface absorption

  • Direct movement from cell to cell

• Because there is no xylem at all, Marchantia does not use xylem for water transport, making (B) the correct answer.

(C) Selaginella

• Selaginella is a pteridophyte (a lower vascular plant) often called a spike moss.

• Pteridophytes are the earliest land plants to evolve true vascular tissues, including xylem and phloem.

• Selaginella shows:

  • Differentiated roots, stems, and leaves

  • A vascular system with xylem that conducts water and minerals from roots to aerial parts

• Hence, Selaginella does use xylem for water transport, so option (C) is incorrect.

(D) Magnolia

• Magnolia is a flowering tree (angiosperm) and a typical vascular plant.

• Its secondary growth and woody stems contain abundant xylem (wood) that transports water and provides support.

• Water is pulled upward from roots to leaves through:

  • Xylem vessels

  • The transpiration pull–cohesion–tension mechanism in xylem

• Therefore, Magnolia clearly uses xylem for water transport, so option (D) is incorrect.

Key NEET Point: Vascular vs Non‑Vascular Plants

• Non‑vascular plants (Bryophytes)

  • Examples: Marchantia, Funaria

  • No true xylem or phloem

  • Restricted to moist habitats and small size due to inefficient long‑distance water transport

• Vascular plants (Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms)

  • Examples: Selaginella (pteridophyte), Pinus (gymnosperm), Miscanthus and Magnolia (angiosperms)

  • Possess true xylem for water and mineral conduction and phloem for food transport

  • Can grow larger and live in more diverse habitats

In the given options, Marchantia is the only non‑vascular bryophyte, so it alone does not use xylem to transport water.