How many members are heterosporous from the given members in box ?
Adiantum, Polytrichum, Marsilea, Equisetum, Lycopodium, Selaginella, Ginkgo, Azolla, Sphagnum

Options

A. Four
B. Six
C. Seven
D. Three

Answer

To determine how many members from the given list are heterosporous, we need to identify which of the listed plants exhibit heterospory. Heterospory refers to the production of two distinct types of spores: microspores (male) and megaspores (female).

Let's analyze the given members one by one:

1. **Adiantum**: This is a genus of ferns that is homosporous, meaning it produces only one type of spore.
2. **Polytrichum**: This is a moss and is also homosporous.
3. **Marsilea**: This is a water fern that is heterosporous, producing both microspores and megaspores.
4. **Equisetum**: This is a genus of horsetails and is homosporous.
5. **Lycopodium**: This is a genus of clubmosses that is homosporous.
6. **Selaginella**: This is a genus of clubmosses that is heterosporous, producing both microspores and megaspores.
7. **Ginkgo**: This is a gymnosperm and is homosporous.
8. **Azolla**: This is a water fern that is heterosporous, producing both microspores and megaspores.
9. **Sphagnum**: This is a genus of mosses and is homosporous.

Now, let's summarize the findings:

- Heterosporous members: **Marsilea, Selaginella, Azolla**
- Homosporous members: **Adiantum, Polytrichum, Equisetum, Lycopodium, Ginkgo, Sphagnum**

Thus, the total number of heterosporous members from the given list is **3**.

### Final Answer:
**3 members are heterosporous: Marsilea, Selaginella, and Azolla.**