Which of the following is an example of a nonvascular plant?

• A. Fern
• B. Grass
• C. Moss
• D. Algae

Answer: (C)

Nonvascular plants lack xylem and phloem, so they can’t move water and nutrients over long distances. Because of that, they stay small and are usually found in moist environments where diffusion can meet their needs. They also rely on water for reproduction because their sperm need to swim to the egg. Moss is a classic example of this group: it’s a bryophyte with a dominant mossy gametophyte stage and no true vascular tissue, roots, stems, or leaves. Ferns and grasses have vascular tissue that lets them transport water and nutrients and grow taller, so they’re not nonvascular. Algae are not land plants and don’t have true vascular systems either. So moss best shows a nonvascular plant.